League Preview: Waterford United -v- Shelbourne

Shels return to the RSC to face Waterford United for the first time following the fiery encounter these sides played out last year which saw three red cards issued. The game kicks off at 7.45pm.

WATERFORD UNITED

Blues captain Philip Gorman misses the visit of Shels to the RSC with an ankle injury sustained during Monday night’s 2-1 defeat to Cobh in Waterford but Eoin Rhodes is back available again following suspension and would be expected to take a place up front in the Blues starting eleven.

The Blues will want to bounce back following their recent matches against Athlone and Cobh which saw them pick up just 1 point and Roddy Collins knows that his team have much more to offer this season.

"I don't think that we've gotten our full passing game together yet either and that people haven't seen the best of us. I know that in UCD we were excellent and in Athlone we were very good in the first half but we know that there is more to come from the lads.”

Collins has been hit with the news that Roddy Collins Jr and Johann Fellrath will not be available for selection until the 1st of July due to issues regarding their transfers from overseas clubs but he welcomes back keeper Cory Chambers who picked up a knock in Athlone and Aaron O’Connor is fit again to compete for a place in the Blues side.

SHELBOURNE

Kevin doherty welcomes back defender Ryan Robinson from injury and attacker Jamie Doyle from a suspension as his side travel South-East to face the Blues.

In recent times Shels have had the upper hand in this fixture and with Limerick in cruise control at the top of the table Shels will want to continue their healthy run of results against a Blues side who would be considered, along with Shels, to be one of the sides capable of making up the play-off places at the end of the season.

Shels are fresh from a 3-1 victory of Athlone in Westmeath on Monday night which moved them level on points with Waterford and Kevin Doherty will be pleased with the result as a response to back to back defeats against Limerick and UCD.

Shels will have to make do without defender Aidan Collins who continues to be sidelined with a shoulder injury picked up earlier in the campaign.

Referee:David Keeler.

MATCH STATS

Shels are nine games unbeaten in the league against the Blues.

There were 3 red cards issued during the last game between these sides at the RSC.

Philip Gorman of Waterford and Gavin Boyne of Shels lead the scoring charts in the league for their clubs with 3 goals each.

BETTING

Waterford United 6/4; Draw 9/4; Shelbourne 13/8.

PREDICTION

Waterford United 1-1 Shelbourne

Waterford United

Injured: Philip Gorman.

Doubtful: None.

Suspended: None.

Shelbourne

Injured: Aidan Collins.

Doubtful: None.

Suspended: None.