Dundalk FC

vs

Waterford FC

Preview

Dundalk FC (Home)

• Dundalk FC (8th, 4 points from 5 matches) will be looking to re-establish the momentum from their promotion campaign with a win over struggling Waterford FC (10th, 2 points from 5 games) on Friday.
• Ciaran Kilduff’s side are set up in a 4-2-3-1 formation that looks to stay compact and sting the opposition on the counter-attack.
• Dundalk are organized at the back and quick to the break, an approach that has yielded 4 ties and 1 defeat from their last 5 Premier Division fixtures.
• The Lilywhites’ 1-1 draw at Shamrock Rovers was an excellent result for Dundalk, but they failed to follow that up with a 0-0 draw at Galway United FC.
• Daryl Horgan is the creative spark for Kilduff’s men, registering 2 assists in 5 Premier Division games and often unlocking the opposition’s defence with his incisive passing from midfield.

Waterford FC (Away)

• Jon Daly is trying to implement a different kind of pressing game at Waterford FC, one that is high tempo, but not so structured, where the aim is to win the ball back and get it up to their target man as quickly as possible.
• When in possession, the Blues set up to try and get the ball wide as quickly as possible, in an attempt to turn the defence and create chances.
• However, they have struggled to execute this game plan this season, losing 4-2 at Derry City and 1-0 at home to Bohemian FC in their previous two matches.
• In their two Premier Division 2026 away matches this season, Waterford have failed to pick up a point and have conceded 4 goals.

Head-to-Head

• Waterford have won the last 2 matches between the sides in the Premier Division, 2-1 at home last season.
• Dundalk are winless in their last 2 at home to Waterford in all competitions.

Dundalk

• Daryl Horgan is the creative spark for Kilduff’s men, registering 2 assists in 5 Premier Division games.
• Daniel Mullen has netted 2 of Dundalk’s 6 Premier Division goals this campaign and is the most advanced forward that Kilduff has at his disposal.

Waterford

• Tom Lonergan is Daly’s main outlet up front, he’s scored 2 of Waterford’s 3 Premier Division goals this term and is their greatest threat in the attacking third.
• Conan Noonan has provided an assist for the Blues this term and provides a spark of creativity in the final third.

Betting Insights

• The odds of 3.58 for a tie look generous and are being highlighted as the preferred market.
• The odds on Dundalk winning are considered a bit too low to back.
• Dundalk are conceding an average of 1.00 goals per home game and both sides are averaging 1.00 goals per game.
• Backing over 2.5 total goals and both teams to score is also suggested given recent trends.

Prediction

• The pick is a draw - the 3.58 odds for a tie are the preferred bet.
• Expect a high-scoring affair with over 2.5 goals and both teams to score.