Shelbourne -v- Shamrock Rovers

SHELBOURNE

The Reds will be hoping that this Dublin derby can bring them their first points of the season, after a tough start to the new year.

Losses to Bray Wanderers and Dundalk, coupled with an early EA Sports Cup exit mean that the wait goes on for Shels fans - but they did beat Shamrock Rovers the last time they played.

Stephen Glass was caretaker manager of the Hoops on the night, as Rovers crashed out of the FAI Cup thanks to a Philly Hughes brace. Overall, Rovers had the better of Shels over their five meetings last season though - winning twice in the league, once in the Leinster Senior Cup and drawing one league match.

Shels will have to do without the ex-Rovers man Graham Gartland, who is suspended. Disciplinary problems again hurt the Reds, as Paul Crowley also misses out after being sent off in the first game of the season.

Captain Glen Cronin will boost their hopes though, with the midfielder returning from injury. Cronin came off injured halfway through the match against Bray Wanderers, but hasn’t featured since. Goalkeeper Ger Hanley also returns from injury, meaning that the number one jersey should be hotly contested following Niall Burdon’s strong performances of late.

Their midweek match against St. Pat’s in Richmond Park was rained off, so Alan Mathews’s should be fighting fit for this derby.

SHAMROCK ROVERS

Trevor Croly has had a solid start to his reign as Shamrock Rovers manager, beating St. Pat’s and drawing with Bohemians and Dundalk. Their match against Bohs last Monday was a gruelling encounter, which has left them without Derek Foran for this match.

The centre-back was sent off in the Bank Holiday derby, so will now miss this Sunday afternoon derby. His defensive partner Jason McGuinness is also unavailable, having picked up a hamstring injury in that match.

“Last Monday against Bohs was a difficult one for us in very tricky conditions. But I thought the team showed a lot of character to come out of Dalymount with a result considering how the match went,” said Croly.

“We had to make a lot of changes during the game and the players did well despite having to play in various positions because of both Derek Foran’s sending off and Jason McGuinness’s injury”

“That is behind us now,” he continued, “and while we have a few missing on Sunday, we’re looking forward to the Shels game and hopefully getting a good result.”

Apart from Foran and McGuinness, David Elebert will also miss Rovers’ return to Tolka Park through a groin injury.

Referee: Alan Kelly

MATCH STATS

This is the first time that Shelbourne have been in a live televised league match in Tolka Park since 2006. That last match saw Shels win the league against Bohs.

Every meeting between these sides last season ended up with three goals or more.

A number of Shels players will face their old club. Although Graham Gartland is suspended, Dean Kelly, Jack Memery and Mark Leech all once played in Hoops.

BETTING

Shelbourne 6/1, Draw 5/2, Shamrock Rovers 8/15.

PREDICTION

Rovers to win, but not by much. 2-1.