League Preview: Cobh Ramblers -v- Shelbourne

COBH RAMBLERS

Having advanced into the Quarter Final of the Irish Daily Mail FAI Cup on Saturday with a 4-1 win at Ringmahon Rangers, Cobh will be hoping to bring their cup form into the league as they face a crucial clash against Shelbourne on Saturday evening at St. Colman’s Park.

Ramblers, who are unbeaten in their last five games, sit just three points behind third place Drogheda United as they look to continue their push for a promotion play-off position with a win over struggling Shelbourne.

Despite losing 2-0 to Shels the last time the two sides met, The Rams will be confident with two wins in their last three against the Dublin side. Stephen Henderson’s men held the upper hand when the two sides met at St. Colman’s Park back in April with a 1-0 win over Shels, who had been reduced to ten men in the first half.

Marcus Gustavsson was the goal scorer then, but with his departure, Cobh will be looking to top scorer Shane O’Connor to provide the finishing touch with his 6 goals this season.

O’Connor grabbed a brace against Ringmahon Rovers last Saturday.

With Charlie Fleming coming back from suspension after missing the previous cup tie with Ringmahon, Henderson’s options will be bolstered even more leaving the Cork side with every chance of grabbing all three points.

SHELBOURNE

The last meeting of the two sides saw Owen Heary’s reign as manager of Shels get off to a flying start with a 2-0 win at Tolka Park. However, not much has gone right since that win for the once promotion challengers.

The Reds are currently enduring a miserable run of form with four defeats since their last win over Cabinteely condemning them to 6^th place in the table and a massive 15 points off the play off positions.

If they are going to turn their dreadful run around, they will have to do so without the services of talisman James English, who is missing through suspension after his red card in the 2-1 defeat away to Waterford United.

English will be a big miss for the Dubliners with his 11 goals in all competitions so far this season. Shels will also be without Gavin Boyne who is suspended after amassing five yellow cards and the injured duo of Michael Kelly and Robert Duggan who will also be out of action.

With play-off hopes gone, Heary will be looking to gather some momentum as the season enters it’s final round, but with only two wins so far under his watch, the former Shels player will be clutching at the positives.

Despite the four losses, Shels have been competitive in every game losing by one goal to Waterford and UCD whilst succumbing to a 2-0 loss at the hands of runaway leaders Limerick. Perhaps they need some luck and a win away to Cobh will kickstart their season.

With English missing, they will look to Jamie Doyle, who scored in the loss to Waterford, for inspiration.

Referee: Mark Lynch

MATCH STATS

This is the fourth meeting of the two sides this season, Cobh have the upper hand with two wins to Shelbourne’s one.

Cobh are on a five game unbeaten run in all competitions whereas Shels have suffered four straight defeats in the league.

Since 2006 there has been 15 meetings between the two teams, with Cobh taking five victories to Shels’ four. The other six games have ended in a draw.

BETTING

Cobh Ramblers 2/1; Draw 3/1; Shelbourne 3/1.

PREDICTION

Cobh Ramblers 1-0 Shelbourne

Cobh Ramblers

Injured: Jason Abbott

Doubtful: None

Suspended: None

Shelbourne

Injured: Michael Kelly, Robert Duggan

Doubtful: None

Suspended: James English, Gavin Boyne