League Preview: Cabinteely -v- Shelbourne

CABINTEELY

Cabinteely will take on the challenge of high flying Shelbourne in a mouth-watering Dublin derby in the SSE Airtricity League First Division at Stradbrook on Friday evening (kick-off 7.45pm).

It has been a difficult start to the season for Cabinteely in the First Division and they will be in search of a much needed three points when they clash with rivals Shelbourne in front of their own fans.

Cabo were emphatically beaten 3-0 by Longford Town at the City Calling Stadium last Friday evening.

However, it was a plucky display by the south Dublin side who fell behind to a ninth minute goal by Shane Elworthy and remained in with a shout for a share of the spoils until a second from Peter Hopkins two minutes from time and a third from Dean Byrne in injury time put the game to bed.

Cabinteely’s recent form has been inconsistent with just two wins in their last 6 competitive matches, over Drogheda United at home (3-2) and a 2-1 away win over the hapless Athlone Town.

The four defeats have included a 3-1 away defeat to near neighbours UCD at the UCD Bowl and a 5-1 thrashing at the hands of Bohemians at Dalymount Park in the First Round of the EA Sports Cup.

Cabinteely current sit in seventh place in the First Division on 6 points from their seven league matches with two wins and five defeats.

SHELBOURNE

Life is rather sweet for the Drumcondra side at the moment and Shels will be hoping their magnificent run can continue when they travel across the Liffey with hopes of taking maximum points back to the Northside.

Shelbourne produced a scintillating five-star display with a ruthless 7-0 annihilation of Athlone Town at Tolka Park last Friday evening.

New striker David O’Sullivan grabbed the headlines with four goals and striking partner Adam Evans got up and running, bagging a hat-trick in the rout.

Shelbourne have made an excellent start to the season and are currently on an unbeaten run of six matches with five wins and one draw.

Shels have also been watertight in defence having kept four clean sheets in their last four matches, including an emphatic 3-0 win away to Bray Wanderers at the Carlisle Grounds in the EA Sports Cup.

“There are not many easy games in this league,” manager Owen Heary told the club's official website.

“It is always a tough game out in Stradbrook – we were beaten on our last visit out there last season. They beat Drogheda out there the other week.

“They have a number of very good players and probably would have expected to have more points on the board after six or seven games.”

Shelbourne are sitting in second place in the First Division, with 13 points from their six league games: four wins, one draw and one defeat.

Shelbourne boss Heary has a full fit squad from which to make a selection from and no suspensions for this week.

Referee: Alan Carey

MATCH FACTS

Cabinteely and Shelbourne met each other on four occasions last season in the First Division and each team won a match at home and away, with Shels winning 0-1 and 3-1 and Cabinteely winning 1-4 and 1-0.

They have played each other 13 times in all competitions since 2015 with Shelbourne winning nine times, Cabinteely winning twice and two draws.

Cabinteely have scored nine goals, averaging 0.69 per game, and Shelbourne scored 22 goals, averaging 1.69 goals per game.

BETTING

Cabinteely 11/4 Draw 23/10 Shelbourne 5/6

PREDICITION

Cabinteely 1-3 Shelbourne

Cabinteely

Injured: Unavailable.

Doubtful: Unavailable.

Suspended: Unavailable.

Shelbourne

Injured: None.

Doubtful: None.

Suspended: None.