League Preview: Galway United -v- Shelbourne

GALWAY UNITED

The Tribesmen play their opening game of the season when Shelbourne visit Eamonn Deacy Park on Friday night (kick-off 7.45pm).

With both sides expected to battle it out for the First Division Title no other fixture is bigger than what is set to happen on the banks of the Corrib tomorrow evening.

United have had a positive pre-season campaign with the side claiming victory against Finn Harps, Longford Town and Wexford in the build up to the League campaign.

Galway manager John Caulfield is relishing the tough battle ahead.

“Shelbourne at home is a great opener,” Caulfield told the club’s media team.

“They have invested heavily and arguably they have a better team than they had in the Premier.

“They need to go straight back up but that’s the ambition of many others.

“Every team has invested. Cork, Athlone, Bray and UCD are probably better than last year too.

“We have to deal with the level of expectation. If you can, you have a chance.

“We’ve done a lot of work with 12 players added to the squad to augment the retention of half of the one we had.

“That means a lot of work but the lads have shown a great attitude.

“Much of what we worked on in training has come off in the pre-season games. Now, we are starting as hot favourites for the First Division and it’s a big test we are looking forward to.

Despite a hugely promising pre-season campaign there was one major setback for The Tribesmen with the club confirming that striker Francely Lomboto suffered a broken leg during last week’s game against Wexford. Stephen Christopher will also miss this game due to injury.

SHELBOURNE

The Reds will be desperate to get their season up and running against First Division rivals Galway United on Friday night as they seek to go straight back up to the Premier Division having suffered relegation in 2020.

Ian Morris’ side had a mixed pre-season losing three times in the build up to the season, although a 2-1 win over Shamrock Rovers at Tallaght Stadium and a 4-1 home win over Wexford means they definitely know how to find the net coming into Friday’s game.

History is with Shelbourne coming into this game, with The Reds on a seven game winning streak against The Tribesmen, a run that stretches back to 2014.

Granted, that could all matter little with John Caulfield coming into his first full season as Galway manager with a tougher United squad than Shelbourne have seen in years.

Referee: Eoghan O’Shea

MATCH STATS

Galway United and Shelbourne last met in the second round of the FAI Cup last season. Shelbourne emerged victorious, winning 5-2 at Eamonn Deacy Park.

Galway United have not beaten Shelbourne since October 2014 when The Tribesmen defeated the Dublin side in the Promotion Playoff semi-final.

Shelbourne have won all seven meetings between the sides since the 2014 Promotion Playoff semi-final.

BETTING

Galway United 15/8; Draw 23/10; Shelbourne 6/5.

PREDICTION

Galway United 2–1 Shelbourne

Galway United

Injured: Francely Lomboto, Stephen Christopher.

Doubtful: None.

Suspended: None.

Shelbourne

Injured: None.

Doubtful: None.

Suspended: Luke Byrne, Michael Barker.