- UCD are 2nd in the First Division 2026 standings on 36 points from 21 games, Longford Town are 7th on 25 points from 21.
- Longford come into this match following two successive defeats, but they beat Cobh Ramblers 2-1 at home in their last outing.
- UCD have won three of their last five matches, losing the other two, and have found a reliable goalscorer in Adam Wells, who has hit three in five.
UCD look the sharper side in this one
UCD are clear favourites to win this one at 87/100, ahead of Longford at 131/50 and the draw at 123/50, which seems too short a price on the visitors in this clash.
The Students bounced back from a disappointing 0-1 home defeat to Kerry FC with a 2-0 win over Cobh Ramblers last time out, so they should be in a good place to take the points.
Andy Myler's side have a flexible playing style which is both proactive and possession-based, where they press high up the pitch and look to play at tempo through the middle third.
Longford boss Gary Cronin has his side set up in a more typical 4-2-3-1 which is built on a strong block with quick transitions and the hosts can be tough to beat.
There's a little more quality in UCD's ranks and they can take this, although Longford will keep it tight and make the visitors work for everything.
A cagey affair more than a goal-fest
Longford's home record in the First Division 2026 is 5-2-3 from 10 matches and they've been tough to break down at home, but not bulletproof.
The Students' away record is 4-2-4 from 10, but they average 1.70 goals per away game and concede 1.10, so we think a bet on UCD to win and both teams not to score makes more sense here than taking the outright price.
Under 2.5 goals is 99/100 for this game, and it suggests a tense, cagey affair rather than an open shootout.
The last head-to-head in the First Division 2026 finished 2-0 to UCD, who have won two of the last three meetings with a draw in the other.
