League Preview: Shelbourne -v- Waterford

• Graham Russell
• Fri, Jun 30 2017




SHELBOURNE

A resurgent Shelbourne host table toppers Waterford in Tolka Park on Friday night (kick-off 7.45pm) having been on the road for the last two weeks.

 

Shels come into this game in the finest of form, having won their last two league games away to promotion chasing UCD and Cobh Ramblers respectively.

 

In the First Division’s equivalent of a Dublin Derby on June 16^th, Shelbourne came from a goal down early in the first half with two goals from James English and Alan Byrne in the second period gave them the three points.

 

Against Cobh last week, James English’s 63^rd minute penalty condemned the home side to their second consecutive defeat and first at home this season, but more importantly it propelled the Drumcondra men up to fourth place in the table.

 

“It’s going to be a tough game for us,” manager Owen Heary told the club's official website.

 

“They’ll be looking to bounce back after the UCD game last week, but hopefully we can beat them and keep our bit of a run going.

 

“They have good quality experienced Premier Division players, who know how to win games - quality players like defenders McClean and Browne, with O’Sullivan and McDaid up front.

 

“Our players are looking forward to it - they know that we’ll have to maintain our focus and be fully tuned in.

 

“Waterford have only lost two games this year, so it shows the task we have in front of us.”

 

Sean Byrne, who has returned to Shelbourne after five years, may be added to the match squad, if his registration comes through in time.

 

The Reds will have to do without defender Reece McEnteer, who has picked up five yellow cards, and midfielder David O’Leary, who is serving an additional game suspension due to the red card he picked up against Longford Town.

 

WATERFORD

Waterford come into this game off the back of a 3-2 defeat to UCD, which was only their second defeat of the season and their first since their opening day defeat to Athlone.

 

UCD were 3-0 up at the 70^th minute mark through a brace of goals from 20 year-old Jason McCelland and a Greg Sloggett penalty.

 

Waterford striker David McDaid scored a brace of his own within four minutes of each other but it was to no avail as UCD held on for the three points.

 

The Blues will be undoubtedly be looking to get over that unfamiliar feeling of coming off the wrong end of a result, so will be looking to restore order on Friday with all three points in their quest for promotion.

 

The Munster club have yet to release any team news or quotes at the time of writing.

 

 

Referee: John McLoughlin

 

 

MATCH FACTS

Both sides have met each other 42 times; with Shels winning 27 times to Waterford’s eight wins.

 

There has been an average of 2.5 goals per game

 

From the two games the sides have met this season, Waterford have won once, 1-0 at the RSC, in Gameweek 11. A 2-2 draw at Tolka Park in Gameweek 4 came first in March, with Reds centre half Derek Prendergast netting twice.

 

Shelbourne’s last home league victory over Waterford was a 1-0 success in May 2015. Gareth Coughlan’s second half penalty divided the sides on that occasion.

 

Of the four games played last season, Waterford came out on top in three (0-2 in Tolka in June, 2-1 at the RSC in August and 0-1 in Tolka in the last game of the season), Shelbourne won the first meeting of that season 4-1 in the RSC.

 

Shelbourne’s last five games in the league: WWDLL

Waterford’s last five league games: LWWDW

 

 

BETTING

Shelbourne 3/1; Draw 5/2; Waterford 5/6

 

PREDICTION

Shelbourne 1-3 Waterford

 

 

Shelbourne

Injured: Aiden Collins

Doubtful: None

Suspended: Reece McEnteer, David O’Leary.

 

Waterford

Injured: Dave Mulcahy, Dean O'Halloran.

Doubtful: Ian McLoughlin.

Suspended: None.