League Preview: St. Patrick's Athletic -v- Shamrock Rovers

ST PATRICK'S ATHLETIC

St Pat’s will be hoping that they can put Monday’s FAI Cup exit to Finn Harps to the back of their minds when they welcome Premier Division table toppers Shamrock Rovers to Richmond Park on Sunday evening (kick-off 5pm).

The Saints travelled to Finn Park earlier in the week looking to advance to the second round of the cup.

However, a mistake in defence involving goalkeeper Conor Kearns and defender Rory Feely allowed Ryan Connolly to score the only goal of the game and knock the Athletic out.

Saints boss Stephen O’Donnell made a number of changes heading into that fixture, starting the likes of Georgie Kelly and Robbie Benson on the bench.

However, with a return to league action and an eagerness to get back to winning ways you would expect a more familiar lineup against Rovers.

In terms of league form, the Inchicore outfit have experienced mixed fortunes since the re-start.

The Saints returned to action with a well-earned 1-1 draw with Dundalk at Oriel Park before losing at home to Derry City a couple of days later. 

The Dublin side then beat Harps 2-0 at Richmond Park just days before their cup exit.

Saints boss Stephen O'Donnell has a full squad to choose from for Sunday's game.



SHAMROCK ROVERS

Stephen Bradley’s side will be looking to continue their 100% start to the season when they travel to play south Dublin rivals St Pat’s on Sunday.

Rovers come into the game buoyed by their late comeback in last weekend’s 2-1 win away at Derry City.

The Hoops found themselves behind after 36 minutes after Walter Figuiera’s goal and the score-line stayed that way until the 78th minute when a Colm Horgan own-goal brought them level.

Just three minutes later Bradley’s men were in front when Roberto Lopes scored to give the Hoops all three points.

Looking ahead to this Sunday’s game, Hoops boss Bradley says he’s expecting to see St Pat’s give their all against his side but insists his charges will be aiming for all three points against Stephen O’Donnell’s team.



“I think we’ll see the best St Pat’s that there is. I think we’ll see the St Pats’s that we saw against Dundalk and we’ve got to respect that and be ready for that. We’ll go there full of confidence, expecting a really tough game but we’ll go there to win it,” Bradley told shamrockrovers.ie.

The Hoops will be without Sean Kavanagh and former Saint Greg Bolger through injury for Sunday’s trip to Inchicore.

Referee: Paul McLaughlin

MATCH STATS

Shamrock Rovers have scored 20 goals in the Premier Division this season. That’s more than any other team with the next top scorers being Dundalk on 16.

The Hoops’ last league defeat came at Oriel Park against Dundalk in September of last year.

St Pat’s will be looking to record back-to back home league wins for the first time since April last year when the Saints beat Sligo and UCD in consecutive games at Richmond Park.

BETTING

St Patrick’s Athletic 10/3; Draw 21/10; Shamrock Rovers 5/6.

PREDICTION

St Patrick’s Athletic 0–1 Shamrock Rovers

St Patrick’s Athletic

Injured: None.

Doubtful: None.

Suspended: None.

Shamrock Rovers

Injured: Sean Kavanagh, Greg Bolger.

Doubtful: None.

Suspended: None.

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