St Patrick's Athletic -v- Shelbourne

ST PATRICK’S ATHLETIC

St Pats come into this game in a relatively healthy position despite having had a uncertain start to their league campaign. With six games played Liam Buckley’s men have accumulated twelve points and sit in joint third place in the table.

The fact that Pats have yet to score more than once in any league game hints at a continuance of the accusation that was levelled at them last season, that they don’t score enough goals for a side that so often dominates possession. But if they are a team who have yet to fully find their feet, they are still carving out positive results. 

All four of the Inchicore side’s wins have come courtesy of 1-0 score-lines and the last three of those have come away from home, at Limerick, Bray and UCD. With a sequence of four consecutive home games coming up, Saints fans will be hoping this translates into some equally impressive home form. 

Buckley has no suspensions to hamper his preparations while the only injury concern affecting his squad is the recovery of Shane McFaul from a groin problem. McFaul isn’t expected to be available.

SHELBOURNE

Shelbourne’s results so far this season make grim reading for their fans as an opening night defeat away to Bray Wanderers has been followed up by five more defeats and a draw, yielding the club just a single point after seven league outings.

Another defeat against St Pats would make it five defeats on the spin for Alan Matthews’ men and the fact that Shels have managed just two goals in seven league games tells it’s own story. Worryingly, the Reds haven’t yet managed to score any goals away from home.

Shels also have issues at the back and have kept just one clean sheet, that coming in an impressive display against Shamrock Rovers at Tolka Park three weeks ago. The point gained that day offered hope to Reds fans that their team might be approaching an upward  curve but they went on to concede ten goals in the subsequent four games.

With three difficult away fixtures lined up Matthews will need every available body over the coming weeks. Though he comes in to this game with a number of his players nursing knocks, most are expected to be available come kick-off on Monday night. But two players will definitely be missing, the suspended Rob Cornwall, and Glenn Cronin who is ruled out through injury.

Referee: Derek Tomney.

MATCH STATS

St Pats have so far kept four clean sheets in their six league games to date.

In last season’s three league meetings between these teams, St Pats won twice while the other game ended in a draw.

Only two of Shelbourne’s goal-scorers from 2012 are still with the club; top marksman Philly Hughes who scored 18 league and cup goals, and Glenn Cronin who scored one.

BETTING

St Pats 2/5; Draw 3/1; Shelbourne 15/2.

PREDICTION

St Pats to win 1-0.

St Patrick’s Ath

Injured: None,
Doubtful: Shane McFaul (groin).
Suspended: None.

Shelbourne

Injured: Glenn Cronin.
Doubtful: None.
Suspended: Rob Cornwall.