Preview:Cork City vs Galway United - prediction, team news, lineups

Cork City’s clash at Turner's Cross against Galway United on Friday could prove decisive in the League of Ireland’s relegation battle.

The hosts are last in 10th place with 15 points and lost 3-2 against Sligo Rovers on July 25, whereas their opponents are eighth with 29 points following their 4-2 loss against Waterford and are one place above the relegation playoff spot.

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Match preview

Cork were leading 2-0 against Sligo Rovers when Fiacre Kelleher netted in the 57th minute, but they conceded three times in the closing 28 minutes and ultimately lost.

Manager Gerard Nash’s side have conceded eight goals in their past three league matches, and their defensive record of 46 goals conceded is the worst return in the top flight.

With 11 games to go in the 2025 season, Cork are 14 points from automatic safety, and a second relegation in three top-flight campaigns looks likely.

Rebel Army are winless in 14 League of Ireland fixtures, with the team losing nine of those games, including each of their past three in the league.

Turner's Cross has been no safe haven for Cork given they have been beaten in three and settled for stalemates in four of their seven most recent outings in the division at the ground.

As for the visitors, they almost recovered from a three-goal deficit against Waterford when they scored their second in the 74th minute, but a penalty was awarded moments later to end any hope of a comeback.

Boss John Caulfield will be concerned that his team failed to create a single big chance last time out, as well as by the fact his players failed to score at all in their prior two league outings.

The Tribesmen beat Cork 2-1 when they faced off on May 23, and they also earned a point when the sides drew 2-2 in February.

Galway have not triumphed in any of their last five top-flight clashes, with the club four times in that period.

The visitors’ form on their travels has been poor considering they are winless away from home in eight matches, losing five games and failing to find the back of the net five times.

Cork City League of Ireland Premier form:

Cork City form (all competitions):

Galway United League of Ireland Premier form:

Galway United form (all competitions):

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Team News

Striker Ruairi Keating will be unavailable for Cork due to a muscle injury, though Seani Maguire is fit to feature.

Midfielders Evan McLaughlin and Kitt Nelson could be flanked by wing-backs Harry Nevin and Matthew Kiernan.

Central defenders Rory Feely, Fiacre Kelleher and Darragh Crowley may appear in front of goalkeeper Conor Brann.

Galway strikers Malcolm Isaiah Shaw and Stephen Walsh could be supported by attacking midfielder Edward McCarthy.

A double pivot of Aaron Bolger and Vincent Borden is likely to be used ahead of defenders Greg Cunningham, Killian Brouder and Robert Slevin.

Cork City possible starting lineup:

Brann; Feely, Kelleher, Crowley; Nevin, McLaughlin, Nelson, Kiernan; Nolan, Maguire, Fitzpatrick

Galway United possible starting lineup:

Watts; Cunningham, Brouder, Slevin; Esua, Bolger, Borden, Burns; McCarthy; Walsh, Shaw

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We say: Cork City 1-1 Galway United

Both sides are in poor form, and it would be surprising if either managed to keep a clean sheet.

Home advantage has not helped Cork in recent weeks, so perhaps they will drop points yet again on Friday.

For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.

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