Waterford vs Limerick Predictions, Betting Tips and Match Previews

Limerick sit five points above bottom of the table Bray Wanderers, but remain in the relegation play-off places ahead of their trip to Waterford. The hosts are in the title race this season, but haven’t earned the title of champions since the 1972/73 season. There are four points between third placed Waterford and the top of the table Dundalk, so its crucial the hosts take all three points against their struggling guests on Friday.

When the two clubs met for their reverse league fixture back in March, visitors Waterford ran out comfortable 2-0 winners. Former Everton trainee Duffus broke the deadlock in the twenty-third minute to hand Waterford a deserved lead, but despite creating other goal scoring opportunities, the scoreline remained 1-0 at the break. Limerick made a change at half time bringing Brouder on for defender Dennehy, but despite improving their play, it was Waterford who scored the all important second goal via an eighty-fourth minute penalty from former Doncaster Rovers midfielder Keegan. The visitors deserved their victory after keeping 54% of the overall possession and creating nine shots on target, to the hosts five.

Waterford can’t claim to be in the best of form heading into Friday’s game, but they are the clear form favourites having picked up two wins, three draws, and just one defeat from their last six matches. Limerick’s form tells you just why they are battling relegation this season, with the visitors losing four of their last six, drawing one and winning one. Despite the gulf between the two clubs in the Irish Premier Division table, we’re expecting a fairly low scoring game on Friday. Four of Waterford’s last six matches have produced under 2.5 goals, while the same can be said about three of Limerick’s last six. Even though Waterford have only won two of their last six matches, we expect the hosts to take all three points tomorrow as Limerick have been losing so many games of late, but don’t be surprised if this game only ends one or two nil to the hosts.

Duffus seems to have found his level after failed spells at Bury and Oldham since leaving Everton, with the Irish striker currently top scoring for Waterford with seven league goals. Morrissey is the only player to have scored more than once for Limerick in the Irish Premier Division this season, and his total of just three goals explains why his club are struggling at the foot of the table.

We’re confident that Waterford will pick up another three points this weekend and that under 2.5 goals will be scored in the process. The hosts haven’t been in the best of form but should be too strong for a Limerick side who have been struggling all season long. As for a final score, we are backing Waterford to win by the same scoreline that they did when the pair met back in March, where the game ended 2-0.

Waterford Predicted Lineup: Vigouroux, Webster, Barnett, Aborah, Puri, Keegan, Héry, Holohan, Feely, Akinade, Duffus.
Limerick Predicted Lineup: Clarke, Cantwell, Brouder, Dennehy, Duggan, Clifford, Wearen, Coleman, Fitzgerald, Morrissey, Walsh-O’Loghlen.