UCD -v- Shamrock Rovers
Credit:
UCD
UCD will hope to end a winless streak of six games when they welcome champions Shamrock Rovers to Belfield on Friday evening. Martin Russell’s side are currently three points adrift at the bottom of the Airtricity League and despite some fine recent performances have picked up just two points from their last six league outings.
Defeat last week in Drogheda means the Students are in severe risk of falling too far adrift of Dundalk and Bray Wanderers but as we saw last campaign, UCD are more than capable of putting a run of results together against any opposition.
Martin Russell has had to deal with several injuries to key players throughout the season but he should be able to call on experienced goalkeeper Ger Barron for the visit of the Hoops. The shot stopper last played in April and has been side-lined ever since with a troublesome toe injury.
Putting the ball in the back of the net has been somewhat of a problem for the Students and they will once again be without top scorer Graham Rusk as he remains out through injury while Chris Mulhall and Cillian Morrison will also be absent. To make matters worse, the UCD boss will also be without the suspended duo David O’Connor and Samir Belhout who have both accumulated four bookings.
Looking ahead to the game, Russell is in positive mood and is confident his young charges can get something from the clash with the Champions.
“We weren’t able to gain the points our play deserved at Hunky Dorys Park, but if we maintain the attributes that we displayed there and also on our last home tie with St Pats, we will prove ourselves worthy opponents to our visitors on Friday evening” he told ucdsoccer.com.
“Tomorrow’s fixture represents a real challenge for this fledgling squad, but that is the way it was always designed to be. It’s a game against the champions which we are looking forward to and gives our young players a chance and a platform to perform which they will be relishing.”
“There should be a good crowd in the bowl, the pitch is in great condition and we are looking forward to what should be an entertaining game.” The former midfielder added.
SHAMROCK ROVERS
Last week’s victory at Derry has eased the pressure slightly on Stephen Kenny but nothing more than a victory on Friday evening for the Hoops will do as they look to close the gap on the top three.
Rovers have happy memories of the Belfield Bowl in recent years, no more than last September when a late Dean Kelly strike handed the Hoops another league title. However, things aren’t as rosy in Tallaght as ten months ago but a 1-0 win against Derry last week means Rovers are now level on points with third placed St. Pats and seven points adrift of the top two.
They have a pretty good recent record on campus, with five wins coming from their last six visits to the Bowl and the visitors will fancy picking up their second away win in a week on Friday.
Aaron Greene and Graham Gartland remain side-lined with knee and back injuries respectively while Stephen O’Donnell has also been ruled out with a hamstring complaint. Kenny swooped during the week for Cork City left back Shane O’Connor and former striker Tommy Stewart with both new additions expected to take their place in the squad for the short trip across the city. However, centre back Ken Oman is a doubt and will undergo a fitness test before kick-off.
Commenting on the game, the Hoops tactician said; “The team have kept three clean sheets in four games and that’s the kind of stability we need from the back four. We can take confidence from the win and clean sheet in Derry last week into Friday night’s game in Belfield.
“But one win in isolation is nothing; we need to back that up with another win against UCD. We need to repeat the strong performance we put in against Derry and have the belief that we can go and get a win away from home.” He added.
Referee: Neil Doyle
MATCH STATS
Shamrock Rovers have scored at least 2 goals in their last 10 matches against UCD in all competitions.
There have been under 2.5 goals scored in UCD's last 6 home games in Airtricity League.
Shamrock Rovers have won 6 of their last 7 away matches against UCD in all competitions.
BETTING
UCD 6/1, Draw 13/5, Shamrock Rovers 1/2
PREDICTION
It’s difficult to see past an away win, 3-1 Rovers
UCD Injury News: John Kelly, Chris Mulhall, Graham Rusk, Cillian Morrison
UCD Suspension News: David O’Connor, Samir Belhout
Shamrock Rovers Injury News: Aaron Greene, Graham Gartland, Stephen O’Donnell, Ken Oman (doubtful)
Shamrock Rovers Suspension News: None
