- UCD have won two of their last three away matches, while Wexford have won only two of their last five matches (L3).
- These sides played out a 0-0 draw in the reverse fixture six weeks ago at UCD’s ground.
- Wexford FC’s Mikie Rowe has scored three of his team’s last five goals and should get plenty of opportunities to add to that tally on Friday.
First Division’s honeymoon is over
Second-placed UCD and third-placed Wexford FC have been two of the First Division 2026’s most impressive performers so far with 27 and 22 points respectively from their opening 15 games.
Andy Myler’s UCD established their identity and Ian Ryan’s Wexford settled into the division with an academy-focused project that was always likely to evolve into an identity-first team.
However, the last month or so has seen both clubs wobble slightly and their next clash will be a key marker for both sides’ ambitions this season. The Students are the more experienced First Division campaigners and have been under Myler since December 2019.
Wexford’s style is to play a patient short passing game with lots of width and overloads from the full-backs in either a 4-3-3 or 3-5-2 system, which allows them to control midfield and create chances from the wings.
UCD’s structure is a more compact one that relies on a disciplined midfield unit to maintain possession and suffocate opponents when they press - with wide players required to be both disciplined and creative in terms of supplying crosses and making runs in behind.
Dub’s should have the edge at the odds
UCD have won four of the last five head-to-heads in all competitions - with Wexford failing to win any. The Students have the higher league position, a better record and the slight edge in the odds, so they are our narrow favourites for Friday’s clash.
However, the odds should be closer and the draw seems to have some value in the 113/50 range, given both clubs have failed to convert all their chances recently and are coming off back-to-back defeats. The hosts have failed to beat UCD in their last two attempts and that trend could continue.
Wexford have scored 1.62 goals per game at home in the First Division 2026, conceding 1.25 per match, while UCD have won three, drawn two and lost three away in the league. The visitors have scored 11 away goals, an average of 1.38 per match.
We’re backing both teams to score (Yes: 17/25) because UCD are likely to play with positive intent to take the game to a wobbling Wexford and both sides have been leaking goals and failing to convert chances recently. The battle on the wings and in transition will likely decide this clash as Wexford’s width should force UCD into an unfamiliar shape.
