League Preview: Shelbourne -v- Cabinteely

The battle of mid-table will take place when Shelbourne host Cabinteely in keenly anticipated clash in the SSE Airtricity First Division at Tolka Park on Friday evening (kick-off 7.45pm).

SHELBOURNE

Shels found themselves on the wrong end of a 1-0 score line last Friday night in Ferrycarrig Park at the hands of Wexford thanks to an early goal from Thomas Croke.

Shelbourne will be looking to end a dreadful recent run that has seen them lose 5 out of their last 6 league games with a win over local rivals Cabinteely. Shels solitary victory came in their last home match against Athlone Town (2-1).

Shels poor form of late has seen them slip out of contention for the one promotion spot and they are now 13 points adrift of the leaders Waterford and Owen Heary’s side are in desperate need of a home win to reignite their hopes of challenging for that precious top spot and a shot at the big time next season.

Shels boss Heary will be hoping that the special tribute planned for Shelbourne’s very own class of ’92 will inspire the team to produce a performance to remind fans of the glory days of seasons gone by.

Heary has mixed news on the selection front with the welcome return of James English and Alan Byrne from suspension with Derek Prendergast replacing them on the banned list having picked up his fifth booking last week. Dylan Kavanagh and Jackson Ryan remain out through injury while Heary will be left sweating on the doubtful pair of Aidan Collins and James Quinn.

CABINTEELY

Cabinteely will make the short trip to Drumcondra with ambitions of extending their two point advantage over Shelbourne in the SSE Airtricity First Division by taking all three points back with them to the Southside. Cabo enjoyed a convincing 2-0 win over Athlone Town with a double salvo from Kieran ‘Marty’ Waters at Stradbrook last Saturday evening.

Cabinteely’s recent form in the league has been mixed. Despite just one defeat in their last 6 league games the South Dublin side have only managed one win over Athlone Town and have shared the spoils on 4 occasions against Longford, Wexford, Waterford and UCD respectively.

Cabo boss Pat Devlin will be hoping his side can build on the positive result from last week and maintain the performance level that could see them move into contention to challenge for promotion.

Cabinteely boss Devlin has almost a fully fit squad from which to select from with the exception of Jason Byrne and Victor Ekanem who are both unavailable through injury.

Referee: Damien MacGrath

MATCH FACTS

Shelbourne and Cabinteely have met on one occasion in the SSE Airtricity First Division so far with Shels edging out their Dublin rivals with a 1-0 away win at Stradbrook with James English getting the decisive goal.

In the four league games last season, Shelbourne were unbeaten having won 3 (0-4, 2-1 and 1-2) and drawing the other game 1-1 in their first meeting.

Shelbourne and Cabinteely have met on 10 previous occasions since 2015 with Shelbourne undefeated with 8 wins and 2 drawn games.

Shelbourne scored 18 goals with an average of 1.8 per game while Cabinteely scored just 3 goals averaging 0.3 per game.

BETTING

Shelbourne evens Draw 23/10 Cabinteely 13/5

PREDICTION

Shelbourne 1-0 Cabinteely

Shelbourne

Injured: Dylan Kavanagh, Jackson Ryan

Doubtful: Aidan Collins, James Quinn

Suspended: Derek Prendergast

Cabinteely

Injured: Jason Byrne, Victor Ekanem

Doubtful: None

Suspended: None