Preview: Waterford United vs Shelbourne

The top clash of the First division weekend fixtures takes place at the RSC on Friday night as table toppers Shelbourne travel to take on second place Waterford United (Kick off 19:45).

Waterford come into this game on a three game winning streak in the league capitalising on recent slip ups by both Dundalk and Shelbourne. A win tonight will see Gareth Cronin’s men over take the Reds at the summit of the league table. Back in April, after losing 2-0 to Shels at Tolka Park, Cronin backed his side to avenge the defeat and win the return game, and a two point lead at the top heading towards the half-way point of the season provides extra, and much greater, incentive.

Cronin is confident his players are ready for what he sees as the biggest game this game.

"It's a big game, the lads' confidence is great and if we win we go two points clear at the top. Our attitude is very good, we just take one game at a time. We have a small squad and it's very important to keep everyone involved."

"Considering the financial situation the club finds itself in we really need the support of the people of Waterford next Friday. It's by far the biggest game of the season and a big crowd will generate a great atmosphere which would really help the players."

Waterford will have to plan without the services of Kieran Fitzgerald who serves a one match ban for reaching four penalty points, which should see a recall for Stephen Quigley at right back, and midfielder Luke Fitzpatrick, who misses the game for unavoidable personal reasons. Paul McCarthy remains a long-term casualty.

Shelbourne will be without Alan Keely, who will serve the first of two additional weeks in the stands following his red card in the cup games with Dundalk.

Apart from Keely, the Reds should be at full strength, with David McGill, who played with an injury when he came on as a second half substitute against Sporting Fingal, expected to be fit for this one.

The bookmakers have installed Waterford United as favourites to win with odds of 13-10. Shelbourne can be backed at 17-10, with the draw coming in at 11-5. The Extratime.ie verdict for the match is a 2-1 win for Shelbourne.

The match kicks off at 19:45.