League Preview: UCD -v- Shelbourne

The Students will be put to the test this Tuesday as they face Shelbourne at the Belfield Bowl in a match which has been brought forward due to UCD’s participation in the Europa League. Kick-off is 7.45pm.

UCD

It’s a closely congested First Division table at the moment, with four points separating second place UCD and fifth place Athlone, while the Students haven’t given up hope of catching league leaders Finn Harps, who currently sit six points above them. They certainly showed that last week against current basement side, Cabinteely.

It was the proverbial “six-of-the-best” from UCD, as they got a well-deserved victory as Cabinteely went down 6-1. Ryan Swan stole the show with four of the goals, while Benson and a Sean Hyland own goal wrapped up the scoring for the side. That brings Ryan Swan to ten goals for the season, just two behind leading goalscorer Danny Furlong of Wexford Youths.

While Swan was the man of the match of the Cabinteely game, it’s been a team performance that has pushed UCD to second place this season. The team has defended and attacked as a team, which is reflected in the fact that they are the second highest goalscorers in the division, with twenty-seven goals, and have the second tightest defence, conceding only twelve times.

UCD still have Dan Tobin, Daire O’Concubhair, and Sean Byrne missing from the squad due to them sitting the Leaving Cert at the moment, while Greg Sloggett is a doubt for the game.

SHELBOURNE

Shelbourne are in and amongst those four teams vying for a play-off place and maybe more, as they currently have twenty points in fourth place. They’ll be hoping to continue their current winning streak against UCD, after notching up their fourth win-in-a-row versus Wexford Youths last Friday.

It was a closely fought encounter between the Youths and Shels but Gareth Coughlan was the difference as his hat-trick helped earn Shelbourne a 3-2 victory. The hat-trick now makes Gareth Coughlan the club’s top goalscorer at the moment with six goals to his name. The Shelbourne faithful will hope Coughlan can continue his form as they haven’t been prolific in front of goal this season, registering only fifteen goals.

However Shelbourne’s run of form lately has seen the club rise up the table, going from being level on points with Cabinteely in sixth place to sitting eleven points ahead of them in fourth. They have beaten table rivals Athlone Town and Wexford Youths while transitioning sides Waterford and Cabinteely were also dispatched. The only problem is that the last team to defeat them was their opponents UCD.

Shelbourne still have a long absentee list for this game, with Jack Brady, David Ryan, Ryan Robinson, Paul Andrews and Simon Dixon all missing out. Craig Walsh picked up a knock against Wexford Youths and he will be treated as doubtful for the match.

Referee: Ben Connolly

MATCH STATS

Shelbourne and UCD have met twice this season, both winning one a piece. Shelbourne won 1-0 in March, thanks to on-loan Shamrock Rovers defender Sean Heaney, while UCD won 2-0 in May, this time coming from former Rovers players, Chris Mulhall and Jack Watson.

Shelbourne are the best side in the First Division when they play away, having picked up thirteen points out of seven matches. UCD are the highest goalscorers at home, scoring seventeen goals in their seven matches.

UCD have only failed to score in only one of their seven matches at home, although that came against Shelbourne in March.

BETTING

UCD 21/20; Draw 9/4; Shelbourne 12/5

PREDICTION

UCD 3-1 Shelbourne

UCD

Injured: Dan Tobin, Daire O’Concubhair, Sean Byrne

Doubtful: Greg Sloggett

Suspended: None

Shelbourne

Injured: Simon Dixon, Jack Brady, David Ryan, Paul Andrews, Ryan Robinson

Doubtful: Craig Walsh

Suspended: None