League Preview: Shelbourne -v- St Patrick’s Athletic

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SHELBOURNE

Leaders Shelbourne can stretch their lead at the top of the Premier Division on Monday night when they host St Patrick’s Athletic at Tolka Park (kick-off is at 7.15pm).

The Reds are four points clear of Derry City at the summit and can move to seven in the clear with a win over the Saints.

Shels have defeated the Saints three times already this season but face them on Monday with just one win in their last eight. 

“It’s a dangerous game,” boss Damien Duff said, as quoted by the Irish Independent. 

“I’ve obviously seen the [Shamrock Rovers] result on Friday. They’re the one in-form team in the league, everyone keeps saying ‘Oh Shels are out of form’, f****** who is in form? Pat’s are. 

“It’s a dangerous game, they’ve got dangerous players, it’s a game that we want, we need, and I’m relishing it.”

JJ Lunney is likely to remain out for Shels, while Sean Gannon is set to return from suspension.

ST PATRICK’S ATHLETIC

In-form St Pat’s will be looking to build on a stunning 3-0 win over Shamrock Rovers on Friday when they visit Drumcondra to face Shels.



The Saints are unbeaten in their last six under boss Stephen Kenny and are now sixth in the table - just five points behind third-placed Rovers with a game less played.

While a shot at European football may look unlikely, they are in fine form and will be a threat to Shelbourne.

"We've taken 16 from 18 in the league in that period and scored three against Shamrock Rovers tonight and three last week against Waterford, three against Sligo, four against Drogheda, three against Vaduz in Europe, so we've been scoring goals and they've been coming from different areas and that was a problem for us when I first came in, that was a big issue,” Kenny told RTE on Friday.

"We weren't very prolific so fair credit to the players for actually stepping up and delivering those kind of performances."

In terms of team news, Romal Palmer and Cian Kavanagh are set to remain out through injury. 

Referee: Damien MacGraith.



 

PREDICTION

Shelbourne 1-2 St Patrick’s Athletic

 

Shelbourne

Injured: JJ Lunney.

Doubtful: None. 

Suspended: None.

 

St Patrick’s Athletic

Injured: Romal Palmer, Cian Kavanagh.

Doubtful: None.

Suspended: None.

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