Cork City face UCD in top-of-table First Division clash

Cork City welcome second-placed UCD to Turners Cross on Friday night, looking to extend their 19-point lead at the summit and overturn a 5-2 loss from their last meeting in July. The team has averaged 2.2 goal minutes in their last five home games.

Cork City face UCD in a top-of-table First Division clash at Turners Cross on Friday night. The league leaders will be aiming to avenge a heavy 5-2 defeat they suffered in Dublin in late July.

Tim Clancy's side sit first with 68 points from 31 games, a commanding 19-point advantage over their visitors. Their recent form has been mixed, with two wins, two draws and a loss in their last five outings. That loss was a 3-2 home defeat to Cobh Ramblers last week, where Sean Maguire scored twice. In their recent home matches, Cork City have averaged 2.2 goal minutes.

That result ended a four-game unbeaten run. The team had previously drawn 1-1 at Bray Wanderers, with Maguire again on the scoresheet, and beaten Wexford 2-0 at home.

UCD arrive having lost their last match to Derry City but will be buoyed by their emphatic victory over City earlier this season. The head-to-head record this term is split, with Cork City winning the reverse fixture 3-1 at home in May. A win for the hosts would all but secure the title with games to spare.

The manager is expected to name a strong side, likely building from the team that started against Bray earlier this month. That lineup included Cian Brann in goal and featured the attacking threat of Maguire, Ruairi Keating and Harry Mpongo. The latest squad information is available online. The match kicks off at 19:45 local time on September 18. Following this fixture, Cork City will travel to face Finn Harps on September 25.