League Preview: Waterford -v- Shamrock Rovers

WATERFORD 

Waterford host champions Shamrock Rovers on Friday evening at the RSC bidding to keep their European hopes on track (kick-off is at 7.45pm). 

The Blues are ahead of the Hoops in the table but have played two games more than Stephen Bradley’s side who are fifth.

But Keith Long’s men have lost their last two league games against Galway United (1-0) and Drogheda United (2-0).

Waterford have also lost goalkeeper Sam Sargeant to injury, with new recruit Louis Jones now first choice. 

“We’ve had a couple of good results, we’ve progressed in the cup and now we’ve had a couple of setbacks,” boss Long told the Waterford News. 

“One thing that we’ll try to do is try to bounce back against Shamrock Rovers on Friday night at the RSC.”

SHAMROCK ROVERS 

Shamrock Rovers know they can ill-afford any more defeats or draws if they are to retain their league title.

The Hoops are 13 points behind league leaders Shelbourne but do have a game in hand on Damien Duff’s side to come. 

And Rovers also come into the game off the back of a 4-2 second leg defeat to Sparta Prague in the Champions League qualifiers.

“Yes, it’s a big game,” Bradley told his club’s website. “With league games now, we’ve put ourselves in a position where we need to take maximum points most weeks.

“That starts on Friday night in Waterford. But our main goal is to make sure we’re 100% focused. We know we’ve had a good and a tough game on Tuesday in Europe, but that should give us energy, give us focus more than anything else. 

“We need to make sure there’s no repeat of what happened a couple of weeks ago and make sure we’re ready to go.”

Johnny Kenny and Rory Gaffney remain out, with defender Sean Hoare a doubt. Aaron McEneff is back from injury. 

Referee: Paul McLaughlin. 

PREDICTION

Waterford 0-2 Shamrock Rovers

Waterford 

Injured: Sam Sargeant. 

Doubtful: None. 

Suspended: None. 

Shamrock Rovers

Injured: Johnny Kenny, Rory Gaffney.

Doubtful: Sean Hoare.

Suspended: None.