League Preview: St Patrick’s Athletic -v- Shamrock Rovers

ST PATRICK’S ATHLETIC 

St Patrick’s Athletic will be hoping they can claim a scalp against Shamrock Rovers in their final game before the mid-season break at Richmond Park (kick-off is at 7.45pm). 

The Saints are struggling in the Premier Division this season - sitting 8th in the table on 24 after 22 games played. 

But they will be hoping they can impress after the break with the Europa Conference League and FAI Cup to come.

Although, boss Stephen Kenny wants them to be at their best against the Hoops tonight. 

“From our point of view we have got to be at our best, we have got to put in a really big performance. The games against the previous top two, Derry and Shels, were very tight affairs, it was a late winner against Shelbourne,” he said, as quoted by the Irish Sun.

“This team is capable of raising their game in those Dublin derbies particularly, there is no doubt about that and we are looking forward to it.

“It’s a great game to play in. St Pats-Rovers, it’s a real derby. Rovers will bring a large crowd and the Pat’s supporters are really passionate.”

SHAMROCK ROVERS 

Shamrock Rovers boss Stephen Bradley admits he is expecting a stiff test of his side’s credentials against the Saints this evening.

Rovers have not played in over 10 days due to international call-ups within their squad. 

But they will be looking to come back with a bang against the Athletic. They lost 2-1 on their last visit to Dublin 8. 

“Pat’s have changed slightly in certain aspects of what they do and how they play. You can see Stephen’s ideas starting to come into what they do,” Bradley told his club’s media team. 

“There are slight changes in how they attack and how they defend, but which is quite normal when a new manager comes in. So we’ve got to be ready for that. 

“Our performance there the last time, as I said before, was really good and we just didn’t get the rewards. So, we know we need to be at those levels again if we want to win the game. 

“It’s a Dublin derby and the last game before a little break, so we want to go there and win.”

Referee: Damien MacGraith. 

PREDICTION 

St Patrick’s Athletic 1 - 2 Shamrock Rovers 

St Patrick’s Athletic

Injured: N/A.

Doubtful:N/A. 

Suspended:None. 

Shamrock Rovers 

Injured: Gary O’Neill, Sean Kavanagh, Trevor Clarke, Daniel Cleary. 

Doubtful:Darragh Burns, Rory Gaffney. 

Suspended:None.