League Preview: Shelbourne -v- Finn Harps

SHELBOURNE

After two draws in a row, Shelbourne will hope to return to winning ways on Friday night when the welcome Finn Harps to Tolka Park.

Greg Murray might just have been the hero for Shelbourne against Shamrock Rovers B last week. Having stopped Karl Sheppard on numerous occasions he kept Shelbourne in the game long enough for Brian Gannon to equalise from the edge of the six-yard box. A good goalkeeper is what is needed against a free scoring Finn Harps team who have scored nine goals after only four games.

After getting himself into good positions against Shamrock Rovers B last week and a handful of chances two weeks ago against Waterford United, Lee Murtagh is a man itching to score. He has not scored since July last year bar in a pre-season friendly against his old club Firhouse Clover a month ago.

Jordan Keegan and Conor Murphy have looked quite dangerous so far this season. They have linked up on a few occasions to put a lot of pressure on opposing defences. Murphy scored from a Keegan cross against Waterford United in their last home game.

FINN HARPS

Finn Harps manager Ollie Horgan has no doubts that Friday will be a tough clash labelling the encounter as “the biggest test so far this season”.

Having only conceded their first goal of the campaign last week against Galway FC, Harps will hope to continue their early season defensive form.

Finn Harps will be missing a lot of their attacking players but should have the First Division's top goalscorer Pat McCann available along with last Saturday's goalscorer Paul McVeigh who will likely be deployed up front in a 4-5-1 formation.

Referee: Andrew Mullally

MATCH STATS

The sides have been sharing the top of the table for the last two weeks. Harps are ahead on goal difference, mainly due to their 5-0 victory over Cobh Ramblers two weeks ago.

Neither team has been beaten so far this season, both sides have two wins and two draws.

With 16 goals scored between them they have scored almost half of the first division's goals so far this season.

Finn Harps have the meanest defence in the division conceding only 0.25 goals per game, with Shelbourne conceding on average 1 goal per game so far.

The sides haven't played each other in the league since 2011. Shelbourne won all three games that season scoring eight without conceding.

BETTING

Shelbourne 11/10; Draw 11/5; Finn Harps 11/5

PREDICTION

Shelbourne 3-1 Finn Harps

Shelbourne

Injured: None.
Suspended: None.

Finn Harps

Suspended: Ruairi Keating.
Doubtful: None.
Injured: Kevin McHugh (hamstring), Sean McCarron (fractured cheek).