Cork City v Athlone Town
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Friday 5th August – 7:45PM KO
Having finally ended an almost decade-long drought against their local rivals Longford recently, there were hopes Athlone Town would use the momentum of just their second win of the season to turn a corner and show a more competitive nature between now and the end of the season. Despite defeat in their next league game at home to Galway, the signs were positive with it taking the Tribesemen to score two very late goals to see off the Midlanders. However, a 5-1 hammering away to Drogheda United in the FAI Cup serves as a reminder to exactly where Athlone Town are as a club right now……Totally rudderless.
The exact opposite can be said of Cork City who have lost just once in 22 matches so far and find themselves in the driving seat for automatic promotion as we begin to encroach on the business end of the season. While Cork City were blessed to beat Athlone when the sides last met, the Rebels do what they do best, they found a way to win, something they’ve done the last four times they’ve faced Athlone.
In three of their last four H2H’s, Cork City have won by at least a two goal margin and with Colin Healy’s men receiving a fright in the last meeting, expect Cork City to make no mistake here as they look to take another step towards the title.
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Prediction: Cork City -1, 1.50 on Betfair (⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️)
Galway United v Wexford
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Friday 5th August – 7:45PM KO
It was a fantastic weekend in the FAI Cup for both these sides as Galway United put seven past non-league Bluebell while Wexford FC caused the upset of the round with a 2-1 win away to Sligo Rovers. However, attention must now quickly turn back to the bread & butter of league commitments with both outfits still chasing big prizes.
Galway United resume their league campaign just one point behind leaders Cork City while Wexford are embroiled in a three-way battle for the division’s final play-off place. Despite Galway’s good run of form (4w1d last 5), John Caulfield’s men will be under no illusions of the task they face on Friday with Ian Ryan’s Wexford only defeat in 7 coming against the league leaders. Wexford also held Galway here back in May but United have since responded with a resounding 4-0 victory in the other H2H meeting.
Despite enjoying an excellent second-half to the season so far, Ian Ryan is still struggling to stop the leaks in his defence with Wexford failing to keep a clean sheet since June. Galway, meanwhile, have recorded 4 shutouts in their last 5 matches.
In attack, Stephen Walsh continues to bang in the goals while the addition of Rob Manley (2 goals + 1 assist in 3 appearances) could be the difference between promotion and remaining in the second tier next season.
With those two strikers filling their boots in the 7-0 cup win at the weekend, confidence levels will be sky high and they should prove to be the difference against a very tough Wexford side.
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Prediction: Galway United to Win, 1.44 on Betfair (⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️)
Longford Town v Cobh Ramblers
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Saturday 6th August – 7:30PM KO
There were first round cup exits for both Longford and Cobh at the weekend but those outcomes were expected with Town making the trip to Oriel Park to face Dundalk while Cobh took on their local rivals Cork City.
Longford did manage to hold the Premier Divisions second-placed side to 0-0 up until half-time but the manner in which Gary Cronin’s team folded after conceding early into the second period must be concerning. Longford shipped four goals in a nine minute spell as Dundalk showed their class.
As for Cobh, while you could argue a 1-0 defeat to Cork was a positive effort, the fact is Cobh lost again, something they’ve tasted 17 times in the First Division this season. The Rams have won just three times this season but new manager Shane Keegan did record his first win in the clubs most recent league game at home to Bray Wanderers.
Backing up that performance will be the challenge Keegan now faces and while Longford have not been in great form of late, they will realise this is a must win game with the sides bunching up in behind in the battle for a play-off place.
Despite not playing overly well in either game against Cobh this season, Longford managed to come away with the points on both occasions given the fact they undoubtedly have the greater quality in their squad.
Jordan Adeyamo scored his first goal since signing from Galway in the recent win away to Waterford and his pace in behind could really trouble this fragile Cobh rearguard. The County Cork side have conceded more goals (59) than any other team in the country this year. A 21 point gulf between the sides in the league table tells its own tale and should Longford come away with anything other than maximum points, their manager will face serious questions.
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Prediction: Longford to Win, 1.44 on Betfair (⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️)
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