Waterford FC will look to strengthen their chances of Premier Division survival when they welcome Galway United to the Regional Sports Centre tonight.

Graham Coughlan’s side have just three league games remaining and find themselves in the promotion/relegation play-off position following Friday night’s 2-1 defeat to Bohemians.

The Blues sit on 34 points heading into Monday’s encounter, with Galway seven points ahead of them in the SSE Airtricity Men’s Premier Division table.

Waterford will be hoping a return to home soil can provide a much-needed boost, having not played a competitive fixture at the RSC in 35 days.

Friday’s defeat at Dalymount Park saw Pádraig Amond bring Waterford level shortly before half-time, heading home from a Benny Couto corner after Bohemians had taken the lead.

However, the Dublin side struck again after the interval to claim all three points, leaving Waterford facing an important final stretch of the league campaign.

Galway United arrive in Waterford in a confident mood following an impressive 2-0 victory over league leaders Shamrock Rovers on Friday.

The result was Galway’s first league win against Rovers in more than two decades and moved John Caulfield’s side onto 41 points.

The Tribesmen have also enjoyed the better of the meetings between the clubs this season.

Two of their three encounters have ended level, while Galway recorded a 4-3 victory when the teams met in March.

Their previous meeting at the RSC produced a dramatic finish, with Dean McMenamy scoring in the 96th minute to earn Waterford a 1-1 draw in April.

Coughlan Confident Ahead of Final Three Games

Waterford manager Graham Coughlan remains confident in his players as the club prepares for two consecutive home fixtures before finishing the league campaign away to Shelbourne.

Speaking ahead of the Galway encounter, Coughlan insisted there was no sense of panic within the squad despite their position in the table.

The Waterford boss believes his players have shown an ability to respond to setbacks throughout the season and is expecting another determined performance on Monday night.

Coughlan will assess his available players ahead of kick-off.

Evan McLaughlin returned to the matchday squad against Bohemians on Friday after serving a suspension, while Blair McKenzie missed the trip to Dalymount Park through illness.

With Galway visiting tonight and Drogheda United travelling to the RSC on Friday, Waterford have two opportunities in five days to pick up valuable points in their battle to avoid the relegation play-off.

Waterford FC and Galway United kick off at the Regional Sports Centre tonight at 7.45 pm.

WLR will have live updates with Ray Scott