League Preview: Shelbourne -v- Cobh Ramblers

SHELBOURNE

Both Shelbourne and Cobh had less than convincing starts to their SSE Airtricity League First Division campaigns, but as we near the half-way point of the league, they have steadied their ships somewhat. The Reds and the Ramblers approach this game with wins under their belts to buoy them up. Shelbourne picked up three points against UCD in a rescheduled fixture to accommodate the Students’ upcoming European adventure – courtesy of their fair-play record last year.

Shels find themselves in fourth position, eight points behind early pace-setters Finn Harps and with a game more played.  A win will be important to keep Harps in their crosshairs ahead of the mid-season break.

The Tolka Park outfit continue to be dogged by injuries and Shelbourne manager Kevin Doherty will have the same limitations as on Tuesday, with Simon Dixon, Dave Ryan, Paul Andrews, Jack Brady and Ryan Robinson remaining on the injury list, while Craig Walsh remains on the doubtful list. 

COBH RAMBLERS

Cobh, like Shelbourne, have picked up 12 points in their last eight games. Currently in sixth spot, they are five points off the Reds, though a win tonight and in their game-in-hand could see them leapfrog Shels ahead of the break – not bad considering their stuttering start to the league.

It’s advantage Cobh this year in head-to-heads, they won the first meeting between these two teams in St Coleman’s Park back in April 1-0 but they will face the trip to Tolka Park with a number of players unavailable.

Rob Waters, Ron Stanton, Audie Dunlea, David Curran will all miss out on this evening’s fixture while Jonathan Ceamer is expected to miss the remainder of the season. Eoghan Murphy and Steven McCarthy are also unavailable due to travel and study arrangements respectively. Chris McCarthy and David Browne are rated 50/50 to be available.

Kick-off is at 7:45pm.

Referee: William Debattista (Malta)

MATCH STATS

The four league meetings between these sides last year produced 14 goals. Shels won both their games in Tolka Park and drew the remaining two in St Coleman’s

This is the 20^th league meeting between these two sides with Shelbourne winning six of those encounters and Cobh securing victories in five.

BETTING

Shelbourne 4/7; Draw 5/2; Cobh 9/2.

PREDICTION

Shelbourne 1 – 0 Cobh.

Shelbourne

Injured: Simon Dixon, Jack Brady, David Ryan, Paul Andrews, Ryan Robinson.
Doubtful: Craig Walsh 

Suspended: None. 
 

Cobh Ramblers

Injured: Rob Waters, Ron Stanton, Audie Dunlea and David Curran

Doubtful: Chris McCarthy and David Browne

Suspended: None.