Match preview: Waterford United v Finn Harps

Match preview: Waterford United v Finn Harps.
Kick off: 7:45 at the Regional Sports Center.

After a short break league of Ireland football returns on Friday night when in form Waterford United will host out of form Finn Harps in what should be a close game in one of the tightest first divisions in years.

Waterford have won their last three league games, a win at home to Salthill Devon and wins away to Cobh Ramblers and Athlone Town proving that they are viable promotion contenders, after a poor start to the season it seems that Waterford are starting to build momentum and with a strong squad and some talented players this could spell trouble for the rest of the league. Despite all of this a lot of off the field problems at Waterford have overshadowed their good recent form but the players most put all that to one side come Friday night. The likes of Ben Ryan who has scored a remarkable four goals in his last two games, Paudie Quinn and Vinny Sullivan will all need to be on form if Waterford are to secure the three points on Friday night.

For Finn Harps things couldn't be any different, they sat second in the league just a few weeks ago but three league defeats on the bounce at the hands of Wexford Youths, Athlone Town and Salthill Devon have left the Ballybofey men languishing in third from bottom in the division but they are still only four points off second placed Athlone and a win on Friday would see them climb above Waterford. The 2-1 defeat in Galway was the most disappointing and the disappointment was evident amongst the players, coaching staff and fans. Its no coincidence that this recent run off bad from has been in timing with star striker Sean McCarron getting injured but the Harps are hoping that their top scorer (eight in all competitions) will be back firing on all cylinders come Friday night. If Finn Harps can get McCarron, McHugh and the central defense of McMonagle and Cowan playing on form again then this poor run will surely be turned around sooner rather than later.

Stats:
Since Finn Harps returned to the First Division in 2009, Waterford United have lost just two of the 15 games between the sides.

Finn Harps have taken six points from four unbeaten games at the RSC under Peter Hutton, and Waterford have won three of their four games at Ballbofey under Paul O’Brien. So both sides preform better away from home in these ties.

But Waterford have not beaten Harps at home since a 1-0 win in March of 2011, Willie John Kiely with the only goal of the game on that day.

injuries:
Waterford will have a near full strength squad to chose from with Daragh Walshe suspended and new loan signing Paddy Barrett unavailable until next weeks game. 

Finn Harps will be without Ciaran Coll who has an angle injury, Damien McNulty who is also injured and Tommy Bonnar who is suspended whilst Gary Merritt is doubtful.

the  referee is Kevin O'Regan and the match odds are: Waterford United evens; Draw 9/4; Finn Harps 12/5.