Preview: Waterford United vs. St Patrick's Athletic - prediction, team news, lineups

St Patrick's Athletic square off against Waterford United on Friday evening looking to retain top spot in the League of Ireland Premier Division.

While the visitors sit in first place on goal difference, Waterford face being cut adrift in the bottom two unless they keep stringing wins together over the coming weeks.

Match preview

With no team surging clear in this year's title race, St Patrick's three-match winning streak could prove decisive come the end of the campaign.

Stephen O'Donnell's side have scored nine goals in victories over Longford Town, Sligo Rovers and Finn Harps, conceding on just two occasions.

Ronan Coughlan netted four times during that triple-header, taking his tally for the season to seven after previously enduring a six-game barren spell.

While just one clean sheet has been kept in nine outings, O'Donnell will have few concerns providing that his players can keep producing in the final third.

Another fixture against lower-end opposition has come at the right time for St Patrick's, but they will be wary of Waterford's recent resurgence.

Having previously lost seven matches in succession, the Blues have responded by collecting six points from their following three outings.

Although Marc Bircham has required time to turn Waterford's fortunes around, there is now a feeling that they can further reduce the seven-point margin to eighth-placed Finn Harps.

John Martin was key in the wins over Longford and Dundalk, scoring three times during those fixtures after enduring a below-par start to the campaign.

Team News

Barring any late fitness issues, O'Donnell could stick with the side which cruised to victory against Finn Harps on Monday.

One change may potentially be made on the left flank with Darragh Burns in contention to replace Billy King.

Bircham is also likely to make minimal alterations after Waterford edged out Longford in their last outing.

The former Queens Park Rangers midfielder waited until the 89th minute before bringing on fresh legs, an indication that he prefers a settled side right now.

Waterford United possible starting lineup:
Murphy; Power, Stafford, Ferguson, Mascoll; Molloy, O'Keeffe, Griffin, O'Reilly; Martin, Mutswunguma

St Patrick's Athletic possible starting lineup:
Jaros; Mountney, Desmond, Barrett, Bermingham; Lewis; Smith, Benson, Forrester, King; Coughlan

We say: Waterford United 1-3 St Patrick's Athletic

Having improved of late, Waterford will believe that they cause a surprise on Friday evening. Nevertheless, we cannot ignore St Patrick's own form, leading us to predict a convincing victory for the visitors.