Shelbourne -v- Derry City
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SHELBOURNE
Shels welcome Derry City to Tolka Park on Saturday evening in Johnny McDonnell’s first home league game. The manager has enjoyed a successful week with wins over Bandon in the FAI Cup and UCD in the Leinster Senior League.
The two sides met earlier this season with Derry running out comfortable 4-0 winners at the Brandywell. The league is a different animal though and the Reds still find themselves rock bottom of the table with six points, seven points behind eleventh place Bohemians. Shels meet the Gypsies next so any momentum gained in this game will be seen as a welcome boost.
Paul Crowley misses out for Shels due to a hip injury, while Rob Cornwall is doubtful with an ankle injury he picked up against UCD on Tuesday night. There is better news for long term absentee Glenn Cronin who is in line for a return if he can pass a fitness test prior to the game. Gareth O’Connor whom McDonnell added to the squad this week will be part of the panel if his registration is complete.
The sides met five times last season including two FAI Cup games with parity being the result, Shels won two, as did Derry, while the other game ended in a draw. If that trend of parity is to continue then the Drumcondra side will be searching for a victory on Saturday night.
DERRY CITY
Derry travel to Shelbourne still hot on the heels of St. Pat’s and Sligo at the summit of the table. The Candystripes have gone through an indifferent patch of league form over the past month, drawing with Cork City, beating Drogheda and losing to UCD and Sligo.
Manager Declan Devine has been pleased with his team's form on the road thus far this season.
“Our away form this season has been very good indeed and it has been the foundation to our season so far. But we know that this is a big game for us, with only two games left before the break we need to finish this section of the season on a high.”
There is always a chance that higher ranked teams can take a team at the bottom of the table for granted, but Devine is adamant that a rejuvenated Shelbourne will provide a stern challenge for his side.
“We are under no illusions that this will be a tough encounter as the Shelbourne players will be eager to perform for their new manager in his first home league game since taking over. So I fully expect this to be a very competitive game but if we give a good account of ourselves hopefully we can secure all three points."
Derry’s sole absentee is Thomas Crawley who won’t be available for the trip to Dublin owing to a hamstring injury.
Referee: Derek Tomney.
MATCH STATS
Shels only league win this campaign was a 2-0 win at home to UCD.
Derry are 36 goals ahead of Shelbourne on goal difference.
Shels last league goal came a month ago on May 6th against Bray Wanderers.
BETTING
Shelbourne 13/2; Draw 10/3; Derry 2/5.
PREDICTION
Shels 2-1 Derry.
Shelbourne
Injured: Paul Crowley (hip).
Doubtful: Glenn Cronin, Robert Cornwall (ankle).
Suspended: None.
Derry City
Injured: Thomas Crawley (hamstring).
Doubtful: None.
Suspended: None.
