League Preview: Shelbourne -v- Dundalk

SHELBOURNE

Shelbourne have only been beaten once in their last five games and as a result will be more than happy to be lying in fifth position and within touching distance of a top four spot after ten rounds of games in the Premier Division.

Their sole defeat in that run was a 1-0 loss away to Derry City, but they will claim a mitigating factor in that particular game as they lost defender Paddy Barrett to a red card in the 50^th minute after conceding an 11^th minute goal scored by Ryan Graydon.

They could have made it to the top four slot had they held out for all three points in their last outing, a 2-2 draw away to Shamrock Rovers last weekend.

Shels were 2-0 ahead after 51 minutes and looking good for maximum points, however Graham Burke made up for an earlier OG by scoring a spectacular goal for Rovers in the 54^th minute. Substitute Roberto Lopes then brought Rovers level in the 77^th minute when he headed home a Jack Byrne cross to deny Damian Duff’s side all three points.

Manager Damien Duff spoke to the Shelbourne media team this week and in assessing the challenge ahead he said: “All been tight games (against Dundalk), we haven’t beaten them yet in the League of Ireland but the Leinster Senior Cup game up in Oriel, we won 4-0, that was a really competitive match, they had a strong team out and it was the same on both sides. We respected the competition.

“I said last week, Dundalk are one of only two teams we’ve not beaten in the league since coming up, we want to win the game but in many ways all pressure is on Dundalk, look they are a top team in the League of Ireland, full of really talented players, brilliant manager in Stevie O’Donnell, we’ll respect them, as we do every team that comes here, or if we’re away, but the pressure in on them. They’re expected to win, they’re the favourites.

DUNDALK

Dundalk’s troubled start to the 2023 season continued last Sunday when they only picked up a single point at home to Derry City, came away with some more injuries and also lost a player to a red card.

Their recent poor form has seen them drop to eight place in the league table on 12 points, a position they would not have envisaged at the start of the season.

Their last three points followed a narrow 1-0 win over Drogheda over a month ago, but this was followed by three defeats on the trot.

They lost midfielder Robbie Benson to a red card in the 4-0 defeat at home to Shamrock Rovers recently and defender Ola Wasiri Williams suffered the same fate in the 86^th minute in the Derry City game on Sunday.

Midfielder Paul Doyle spoke to the Dundalk media team, saying: “To be fair to Shels, they are a very honest group, they work hard for each other and you know exactly what you are going to get each time you play them.

“It’s going to be an up and at them type of game and it’s all about how we can force our will on the game, how we strong arm our way into dominance. We have had a good week and we are clear on what the messaging is from the staff.

“We now have seven games in 30 days, a lot of Fridays/ Mondays so for the likes of myself coming back from injury, there will be chances to get in to some of those games and collectively it is also important that we put a few results together.”

Referee: Damian McGrath

MATCH STATS

Shelbourne have failed to beat Dundalk in their last five outings going back to March 2022 and will be looking to use their current good run of form to arrest that trend and take all three points on Friday night.

The Lilywhites have won twice with the points being shared on the other three occasions.

In the most recent match in Oriel Park in March, JR Wilson gave Shels an early 15^th minute lead, but they were overhauled by two second half goals from Dundalk, Rahaan Tullock and Andy Boyle scoring for the home side.

Shelbourne share the record with Derry City for the least number of goals conceded this season so far, both sides are on 7 goals against after ten series of games.

BETTING

Shelbourne 6/5; Draw 2/1; Dundalk 12/5.     

PREDICTION

Shelbourne 1-0 Dundalk

Shelbourne

Injured:  Sean Boyd, Conor Kane, Mark Coyle, Gavin Molloy

Doubtful: None

Suspended: Tyreek Wilson

Dundalk

Injured:  John Mountney, Greg Sloggett, Cameron Elliott, Daniel Kelly, Louis Annesely.

Doubtful: None

Suspended: Ola Wasiri Williams