Cork City -v- Shamrock Rovers

CORK CITY

Glorious sunshine will greet the viewing public when eighth placed Cork City welcome fifth placed Shamrock Rovers to Turner's Cross on Sunday (kick-off 3.30pm)

Cork City come into the game having drawn 1-1 with Derry City in the Brandywell and Tommy Dunne will be looking to go one step further when the Hoops come to town.

“It’s a really good match between two teams who will look to play plenty of football. Both teams have been very close on the last three occasions that we have met, and I do not think it will be hugely different this time around. We are aware that it will be a tough match, but we are looking to get the three points.”

Dunne will be without the services of goalkeeper Mark McNulty and Denis Behan through suspension, though Behan’s knee injury means the striker is likely to be sidelined until after the break in any case.

Fellow striker Danny Morrissey is struggling with a hamstring injury, but Dunne is hopeful that he will be fit to continue his recent vein of good form. Kevin Murray remains sidelined following the recurrence of his groin injury, and is expected to be back after the mid-season break.

Shane Duggan (thigh), Colin Healy (knee) and Neal Horgan (knee) have all struggled with injuries during the week, but Dunne is hopeful that all will be fit for Sunday.

SHAMROCK ROVERS

The Hoops travelled to Cork earlier in the season for the Setanta Sports Cup semi-final, second leg. But this will be the first league game between  the two sides at Turner’s Cross in this campaign.

Danny Ledwith and Mark Quigley remain out for at least another week with hamstring injuries, while Pat Sullivan is expected to be available again for Sunday’s tie. David Elebert is a doubt with a groin injury. Stephen Rice is suspended.

Hoops boss, Trevor Croly said: “Cork is always a tough place to go, and we’ll be well aware of that for the game on Sunday. But we’ve had good results in the last couple of games, and we’ll be looking to build on that. In terms of performance, I feel the lads have been on a good run of late, and we’ll feel capable of going to Cork and getting a result.”

Referee: Rob Rogers.

MATCH STATS

Shamrock Rovers are yet to win on their travels. Five draws and two defeats out of seven games.

The last time Cork City managed a win over Shamrock Rovers in Turner's Cross was back in October 2007.

Only Sligo Rovers and Pats (on eight goals) have conceded less than Shamrock Rovers (nine goals) in this league campaign. Amazingly Shamrock Rovers have only scored two goals on their travels. Only Shelbourne at the foot of the table have scored less (one goal).

BETTING
Cork City 3/1; Draw 11/5; Shamrock Rovers 19/20

PREDICTION
Cork have a poor home record this season, seven points from 21. Shamrock Rovers have a poor away record, Five points from 21. All the hallmarks of a draw, a scoreless one would be the most likely, but given the fact it's on a Sunday and there is likely to be sun shining, our prediction is: Cork City 1 - 1 Shamrock Rovers

Cork City

Injured: Kevin Murray.
Doubtful: Danny Morrissey, Shane Duggan. Colin Healy, Neal Horgan.
Suspended: Mark McNulty, Denis Behan.

Shamrock Rovers

Injured: Danny Ledwith and Mark Quigley.
Doubtful: David Elebert.
Suspended: Stephen Rice.