League Preview: Cobh Ramblers -v- Shelbourne

Kevin Doherty's Shelbourne travel to St. Colman's Park for the second time this season and will be seeking revenge for their 1-0 loss to Cobh Ramblers at the same venue back in April.

COBH RAMBLERS

Last week's 3-1 victory over Waterford United at the RSC made it back-to-back wins for Cobh Ramblers and Stephen Henderson will be hoping his side can make it a hat-trick when Shelbourne visit St. Colman's Park this Saturday.

Victory this week would mean a home league double over the Reds while also maintaining Hendo's unbeaten league record against all First Division sides bar the top two, Finn Harps and Wexford Youths.

The Rams boss will be looking to Stephen Kenny to continue his recent goalscoring form. The 22 year old winger has netted three times in his last five league games, taking his tally for the season to five goals – making him Cobh's top league goalscorer and joint-top goalscorer in all competitions alongside the departed Robbie Waters.

Jonathan Creamer is still sidelined for the hosts while both Kevin Mulcahy and Chris McCarthy are doubts. However, with one McCarthy potentially ruled out another comes back into contention as Graham returns following his recent absence through suspension, as does Brendan Frahill. Goalkeeper David Browne is also in contention for a first matchday squad appearance since May.

SHELBOURNE

Kevin Doherty's side travel to the south coast looking to preserve a six game unbeaten run in the league. Shels haven't lost since suffering the ignominy of losing 2-1 to UCD thanks to a Mick Leahy brace at the UCD Bowl.

Four wins and two draws have followed since, with one of those draws coming at Tolka Park against their next opponents, Cobh. Last week's 0-0 draw against Wexford Youths at home was seen as two points dropped by those at Richmond Road as the Reds failed to convert a number of chances, with Youths 'keeper Graham Doyle in inspired form.

It has been symptomatic of Shels' season so far that they have won more games and points on the road than they have at home: four wins and three draws at Tolka equaling 15 points versus six wins and one draw away from home equalling 19 points.

With UCD just one point behind Doherty's men in the third-place promotion play-off spot with two games in hand, Shels will need to continue their good away form this week by avenging their April loss in St. Colman's Park if they are to keep their noses in front.

Six goal Gareth Coughlan is suspended for the Reds, while Simon Dixon, Jack Brady and Conor Earley all miss out through injury. However, Adam O'Connor comes back into contention having served his own suspension against Youths last week.

Referee: Eoghan O'Shea.

MATCH STATS

The last time Shelbourne visited St. Colman's Park, Cobh secured their first league victory over the Reds since October 2007. Ryan Goldsmith's 16^th minute strike gave the Rams a 1-0 win in April.

Cobh are unbeaten against Shels so far in 2015, having followed up their April home win with a creditable 1-1 draw at Tolka Park in June.

Since Stephen Henderson returned to the helm, Cobh Ramblers have only lost league games to two teams: Finn Harps and Wexford Youths. Henderson's league record in his second stint in charge reads: P16 W7 D5 L4.

Since losing to UCD in early June, Shels have gone six games without defeat in the league, their longest unbeaten run under Kevin Doherty to date. Doherty's league record in his debut season in charge reads: P20 W10 D4 L6.

BETTING

Cobh Ramblers 3/1; Draw 12/5; Shelbourne 4/5.

PREDICTION

Cobh Ramblers 1-1 Shelbourne.

Cobh Ramblers

Injured: Jonathan Creamer.

Doubtful: Kevin Mulcahy, Chris McCarthy.

Suspended: None.

Shelbourne

Injured: Simon Dixon, Jack Brady, Conor Earley.

Doubtful: None.

Suspended: Gareth Coughlan.