Dundalk v Galway
Football: Ireland, Premier Division
Friday 25th September Kick Off, 19.45

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DUNDALK (5th) Home Form W6 D1 L6

Dundalk come into this game in mid table and are 10 points off the battle for European places and at this stage unlikely to catch those ahead of them but are also now well clear of relegation and should be playing Premier Division football next season.

Dundalk started the season one of the favourites to be relegated in their first season back in the top flight and started the season poorly. However a much better second half of the season has seen them climb the table and out of the danger zone.

Boss Sean Connor has had his fair share of problems to deal with particularly with key players such as George O Callaghan who left the club due to personal problems and Dave Rodgers who was sacked following an incident against St Patricks Athletic.

But the form of Striker Chris Turner on 9 goals and signings such as Alex Williams and Ger Rowe have helped the lillywhites make great progress this season.

Dundalk have lost only 1 in their last 6 home games and that was against league leaders Bohemians. 4 of the other 5 have been victories including a terrific 1-0 win over one of the top sides in
Cork City 2 weeks ago.

Dundalk have had their injury and disciplinary problems in recent weeks but welcome back Liam Burns, Darren Mansaram and Michael Daly from suspension but will miss Michael Collins after he was sent off at Bohs last week.

DUNDALK LAST 5 MATCH FORM
Bohemians 0-0 Dundalk ( FAI CUP - Bohs won on penalties )
Shamrock Rovers 2-2 Dundalk
Derry City 3-0 Dundalk
Dundalk 1-0 Cork City
Bohemians 3-2 Dundalk

GALWAY UNITED (6th) Away Form W5 D2 L7

Galway are 3 points behind Dundalk in 6th place and looking like they will keep their place in the Premier Division for another season. They are 10 points clear of the 2 automatic relegation spots and 8 clear of the play off spot. With 8 games to go Galway should be safe but will definitely need a few more wins to be certain.

However, Dundalk have been somewhat of a bogey team for Ian Foster's side this season and indeed have been over the years. Dundalk have beaten them twice this season already in their 3 meetings and have won 4 out of the last 5 encounters between the sides.

Galway have not won in Dundalk since 2004 and that was in the Cup. Galway's last win in the league here was back in 1987, quite a bad record considering both sides would have both been in the Premier Division for most of that period.

The Galway away record of late too has been worrying, in their last 10 away games they have won 3 but lost the other 7.

Galway's star player Jay O Shea recently departed to join Premiership Birmingham City and he was also their top scorer and they will find it hard to replace the Irish U21 International. They will also be without Shane Guthrie who is suspended and left back Iarflaith Davoren who is out for a month with a hamstring injury.

HEAD TO HEAD

This Season
Galway 1-0 Dundalk
Dundalk 1-0 Galway
Galway 0-3 Dundalk

THE BETTING VERDICT

Despite only 3 points between the sides, Dundalk definitely have the better side and have had a very good second half of the season.

Take DUNDALK TO WIN here available at 6/5 in Paddy Power.

The Pick :

Dundalk 2-1 Galway

FIXED ODDS BETTING :

Take DUNDALK TO WIN