League Preview: Shamrock Rovers -v- Dundalk

SHAMROCK ROVERS

Stephen Bradley has called on his Shamrock Rovers side to be ‘better’ ahead of their home clash against Dundalk (kick-off is at 8pm).

The Hoops are 15 points behind leaders Shelbourne after losing 2-0 away to Sligo Rovers last weekend.

But their boss just wants his side to improve,

“We just know we have to be better,” Bradley told his club’s website.

“In Sligo, it wasn’t us by any stretch of the imagination at any point in the game. So we have to be better and get back to what we do, get our identity back and everything else will look after itself off the back of that.

“It’s about getting back to us and last Friday just wasn’t us. So that will be the aim against Dundalk, to get back to what we do.

“We know if we do that, we’re more than capable of winning games but we have to get back to that.”

DUNDALK

Dundalk will have defender Zak Johnson in their starting XI for the final time this season ahead of his return to Sunderland following his loan at Oriel Park.

Johnson has been a key man for the Lilywhites this season and his upcoming departure is set to leave a gap in Jon Daly’s defence.

Defender Andy Boyle is also a doubt for their trip to Tallaght Stadium against the Hoops with Jamie Gullan also likely to miss out. Dara Keane remain injured.

New signings Scott McGill, Bobby Faulkner, Hayden Cann, Jad Hakiki and Norman Garbett may feature.

But while Rovers have struggled in recent weeks, boss Daly said: “I don’t think playing Rovers at any time is a good time, especially away. They’re a good side.

“They’ll be disappointed with the result in Sligo, I was disappointed with it as well because I would have liked them to get three points to keep Sligo a little bit closer to us.

“But I do think it just highlights to us how important it was to beat Sligo here before the break. Again, it tells me that the league is really, really competitive, and if you’re not at it for whatever reason, you can come out on the wrong side of a result.”

Referee: Marc Lynch.

PREDICTION

Shamrock Rovers 2-0 Dundalk

Shamrock Rovers

Injured: Rory Gaffney.

Doubtful: Lee Grace, Neil Farrugia, Seán Kavanagh.

Suspended: None.

Dundalk

Injured: Dara Keane.

Doubtful: Andy Boyle, Jamie Gullan.

Suspended: None.