Galway vs Waterford Prediction 12.07.2024

• Competition: League of Ireland Premier Division
• Date: Friday, 12th, July 2024
• Kickoff: 19:45 UTC +1 / 20:45 CEST
• Venue: Eamonn Deacy Park (Galway)

Aiming to move nearer to a European berth, Galway will take on third-placed Waterford at Eamonn Deacy Park in League of Ireland Premier Division play on Friday.

As last year's second-tier champions, Galway have reclaimed their Irish top-flight status after a six-year absence, and like all other returnees, their primary focus has been securing their place among the elite. Instead, John Caulfield's squad has become the most pleasant surprise of the League of Ireland Premier Division campaign so far, stunning everyone with their brilliant displays and appearing poised to challenge for a European finish, as they are just six points behind the third-placed team with a game in hand.

Occupying that third spot is their upcoming opponent, Waterford, who also earned promotion last season thanks to a runner-up finish, trailing behind the First Division champions Galway by a 25-point margin. Despite the first third of the season was forgettable, the Blues have risen from the ashes and staged a remerkable resurgence in form - amassing 24 out of a possible 33 points - which has seen them climb to a lofty third place that secures qualification for the UEFA Europa Conference League playoffs next season.

Galway vs Waterford Betting Tips: UNDER 2.5

Winning Friday's contest could narrow the gap for Galway behind Waterford to just three points, with a game in hand as well, but considering the hosts' recent slump with only one win in their last five league matches, we'll steer clear of predicting a definitive outcome. In fact, we expect the two newly promoted sides to adopt a defensive stance and avoid unnecessary risks in attack, which could ultimately lead to a solitary strike determining the match winner.

With just 16 goals conceded, the Tribesmen are the second-least breached defense this season—only table-topping Shelbourne (15) are better at the back thus far—but sharpering things up front is inevitable if they want constant growth in form, as only Dundalk (13) entered the scoreboard less times than them (18) this term. Combining a solid defense with a blunt attacking edge makes them the least interesting side to watch this season, with 18 of their 23 fixtures not producing more than two goals. Visitors Waterford haven't been productive in front of goal lately either, as they've struck just three goals in as many matches, while remaining scoreless in two out of their last three away trips. Their latest encounter this season saw them settling for a share of the spoils in a lifeless goalless draw in mid-April, and a similar outcome could be on the cards again this time, as neither of these rivals excels in the attacking department.