Shelbourne -v- UCD
Credit:
The top two sides in the League of Ireland First Division, both enjoying a perfect start to the current campaign, finally meet tomorrow night at Tolka Park as UCD travel to play Shelbourne.
Team News
Shels’ Damien Brennan is struggling with a groin injury and hasn’t trained all week while Darren Meenan is also doubtful with a back injury. Richie Baker is fit to return after missing last week’s trip to Galway to play Mervue.
Greg Bolger remains out of action for UCD with an ankle injury and Sean Harding will also miss the game due to a back injury.
Managers View
Having cast aside lowly Kildare County last week, UCD manager Martin Russell is aware of the different challenge posed by UCD’s nearest rivals: "We're looking forward to it. Shelbourne have been going well," said Russell. "It's the kind of game you want to be playing, a top of the table clash."
Following Shels’ narrow victory over Mervue, Dermot Keely admitted his side must find the target more often, “[we] would not be able to continue winning games only scoring one goal.”
Stats
Both sides have won their five matches this season however UCD are top due to their superior goal difference. The Students have bagged double Shels’ tally, finding the net a healthy twelve times, conceding just twice. However Shels’ better that defensive record, with just the one goal conceded all season.
Shelbourne have won all five games this season by a single goal and have not scored twice in a game since the opening weekend of the season while UCD have scored more than once in four of their five games thus far.
extratime.ie prediction: 1-1
Team News
Shels’ Damien Brennan is struggling with a groin injury and hasn’t trained all week while Darren Meenan is also doubtful with a back injury. Richie Baker is fit to return after missing last week’s trip to Galway to play Mervue.
Greg Bolger remains out of action for UCD with an ankle injury and Sean Harding will also miss the game due to a back injury.
Managers View
Having cast aside lowly Kildare County last week, UCD manager Martin Russell is aware of the different challenge posed by UCD’s nearest rivals: "We're looking forward to it. Shelbourne have been going well," said Russell. "It's the kind of game you want to be playing, a top of the table clash."
Following Shels’ narrow victory over Mervue, Dermot Keely admitted his side must find the target more often, “[we] would not be able to continue winning games only scoring one goal.”
Stats
Both sides have won their five matches this season however UCD are top due to their superior goal difference. The Students have bagged double Shels’ tally, finding the net a healthy twelve times, conceding just twice. However Shels’ better that defensive record, with just the one goal conceded all season.
Shelbourne have won all five games this season by a single goal and have not scored twice in a game since the opening weekend of the season while UCD have scored more than once in four of their five games thus far.
extratime.ie prediction: 1-1
About Gordon Hunt
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