Shelbourne vs Waterford United

Title hopefuls Shelbourne and Waterford United do battle for the penultimate time this season when they meet in a critical League of Ireland First Division fixture at Tolka Park on Monday evening (kick-off 8.00pm). Both sides will be aiming to close the gap on leaders Dundalk in this rearranged clash, however, for Shels, the need is greater as anything other than a win would surely end their promotion hopes.

For Waterford, a second successive victory would see the title race turn into a head-to-head between themselves and the pacesetters, and that's exactly what manager Gareth Cronin is aiming for. "If we can isolate ourselves and Dundalk by beating Shels, that's two points, and then we have Dundalk to come (to the RSC)," Cronin assessed.

"The last time we went to Tolka, we got absolutely kicked off the park, we were a disgrace, especially in the first-half. I'm not being kicked off the park on Monday night. If we get kicked, we'll kick back. If we have to grind out a result, then that's what we'll do. We're going up there positive, but it's an aggressive positive."

Speaking on his side's late 1-0 win over Wexford Youths on Friday, Cronin stated: "I thought we were brilliant in the first-half, should have been 3-0 up at half-time, missed a penalty and had two other great chances which we didn't take. Second-half, we hustled and bustled, but we kept going right to the end, and we got the goal that we richly deserved.

"The last clean-sheet before that was Longford at home, we won 4-0, and even when we beat Kildare 3-1 here, we still gave away a goal and that's an awful sloppy habit. So, on that basis, it was very gratifying, and, to be fair, they didn't really look like scoring."

Shels come into the game looking to bounce back from last Thursday's 2-1 loss at Oriel Park, however, they will be lifted by the fact that six of their remaining nine games are set for Tolka Park. Waterford, on the other hand, including this fixture, face six away matches in the same period.

Team News: Hosts Shelbourne welcome back winger Gary McCabe as he has now completed an additional three-match ban incurred for being sent-off against Athlone Town in August. Also returning from suspension is on-loan midfielder David McAllister, who missed the defeat in Dundalk, however, Dermot Keely is sweating on the fitness of midfielder James Chambers (hamstring) and defender Alan Murphy (knee). Waterford, meanwhile, have no suspensions, and midfielder Paul McCarthy (ankle) is their only fitness concern as he is rated 'doubtful'.

Extratime.ie Prediction: This match is widely seen as Shelbourne's last hurrah in their bid to get back into the title race and, if on form, then that's exactly what they'll do. 2-0 home win.