Galway play-off win over Waterford would suit UCD more - Paul Corry

The race to take the final place in next year's SSE Airtricity League Premier Division has been simmering over the last week or two and now it's close to coming to the boil.

On Friday, First Division semi-final winners Waterford and Galway United will lock horns at Markets Field with the prize of advancing to a promotion/relegation play-off decider against UCD on the line.

Based on recent form, the wind seems to be in Waterford's sails and Danny Searle's outfit are the team that UCD would be keener to avoid, according to former Students, Shamrock Rovers and Sheffield Wednesday midfielder Paul Corry.

"I think UCD want to avoid Waterford at this moment in time. The form that they've shown in the league, but not only that, some of the results they had in the FAI Cup, would make you believe that Galway's a bit of an easier fixture for UCD," he told this week's RTÉ Soccer Podcast.

"I think UCD probably favour playing against a team who are maybe a bit more conservative in their approach or sit back a bit and let UCD have the ball. That would probably favour them a bit more and naturally they would want to avoid Phoenix Patterson and co, who have been so lethal going forward.

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"And UCD tend to give away quite a few goals so I'm sure they'll be looking for a Galway win on Friday night.

"But those games are so difficult. In a once-off game, the first goal is so important and once you have something to latch onto and protect, you can maybe manage the game a bit easier.

"It's often a lottery,