Waterford face a key test of their Premier Division form when they host Galway United at the Regional Sports Centre this Friday night. The 19:45 kick-off offers both sides a chance to climb the table, with Waterford currently eighth on 34 points after 32 games. Their recent form shows a mixed bag, with two wins, two draws, and a loss in their last five outings. The most recent of those was a 3-2 defeat away to Shamrock Rovers on September 18th, where Evan McLaughlin and Benny Couto were on the scoresheet.
Recent form
Waterford's last home game was a 2-2 draw with Derry City, a match that saw Padraig Amond find the net. Before that, they secured a 3-0 victory over Sligo Rovers and a 2-0 win against St Patrick's Athletic. Tom Lonergan, the club's top scorer with nine goals this season, will be a central figure in the attack. Galway United arrive with their own fluctuating results, having drawn with Shelbourne and lost to Derry City in their last two matches, but they also recorded a 3-1 win over Sligo Rovers recently.
Head-to-head history
The recent meetings between these clubs have been tight. The last three encounters have produced a draw and a win apiece, with Galway United edging a seven-goal thriller 4-3 back in March. The most recent clash in July ended in a goalless stalemate, suggesting another close contest is likely. Waterford will be looking to their experienced heads, with the likes of Amond and Lonergan leading the line, to find a breakthrough.
Manager Keith Long will be assessing his options from a squad that has shown resilience. The full list of available players can be seen on the club's squad page. A positive result is important as Waterford prepare for another tough away trip to face second-placed Bohemians immediately after this fixture. Galway United manager John Caulfield is expected to have a full squad to choose from as his team looks to stays in the top half of the table and complete a league double over their hosts.
