League Preview: Shelbourne -v- UCD

• John McDermott
• Thu, Aug 04 2016



SHELBOURNE
Shelbourne host UCD at Tolka Park (KO 7.45pm), as the Students cross the Liffey and take on Shels for the third time this season. 
 
Owen Heary will be looking for his players to return to winning ways after suffering two consecutive defeats. Two dificult fixtures against Drogheda United and Limerick have resulted in zero points and the visit of promotion chasing UCD also offers yet another difficult task.
 
Sitting 12 points behind UCD, Shelbourne's chances of making the play-offs are now very, very slim, but if there is to be any chance, Shels have to beat the Students tomorrow. 
 
Owen Heary will perhaps be more focused on his side placing the building blocks for next season. Before the transfer window closed, a handful of players came in and left the club and therefore Heary is still busy putting his own shape and influence on the team. Thus, Shelbourne are a team in transition.
 
Heary will have to plan without midfielder Daire Doyle, who is suspended after an accumulation of five yellow cards this season and also centre half Aidan Collins, who is unavailable. In good news he'll be able to welcome back defender Ryan Robinson and young goalkeeper Jack Brady from suspension.
 
UCD
The Students earned a big win last week against Athlone Town, winning 5-1 at the UCD Bowl. Collie O'Neill's men have picked up 10 points in their last four league games and as a result are now six points safe inside the play-off positions.
 
Indeed the game saw five different goal scorers for the Students, including veteran striker Jason Byrne's first for the club since his move from Bohemians. The result and performance was yet another show of strength from UCD and it suggests they have a chance at winning promotion this season.
 
However, UCD now face three difficult fixtures, the away game tomorrow against Shelbourne the first of the three. Following tomorrow's game, UCD will host fellow play-off hopefuls Drogheda United before also hosting league leaders Limerick. O'Neill knows how important these games are in the play-offs context and therefore a positive result against Shels will be absolutely imperative.
 
“Friday will be another difficult game for us against a rejuvenated Shelbourne side. Owen Heary will have them well set up and they will be difficult to break down, and they will also be looking to close the gap in the play-off race.” 
 
O'Neill must continue without a number of players who remain absent through lengthy injuries. Defenders Tomas Boyle, Brian Shortall and Adam Harney are all unavailable, leaving UCD's defensive options limited. Likewise the Students are without midfielder Samir Belhout, although O'Neill has plenty of options to choose from in this department.
 
Referee: Robert Hennessey.
 
 
MATCH STATS
In the two meetings between the clubs so far this season, UCD have come out on top with two wins. UCD won 2-1 at Tolka Park in April, courtesy of two Maxi Kouogun goals. At the UCD Bowl in June just before the mid-season break, a Gary O'Neill penalty and a Jason McClelland second half goal earned UCD a 2-0 win. Last season both sides won home and away in the four league games between the clubs. 
 
Shelbourne's home league record is below par this season. Half of the ten games have resulted in defeat, while of the other five, Shels have won four and drawn the other. UCD have quite a good away league record. In nine games, the Students have won four, drawn two and lost three league games.
 
Shelbourne have only two wins from their last nine league matches. The other seven matches have resulted in defeat, leaving Shels only two points above Waterford United in fifth place. In the same period of games, UCD have picked up seven wins, a draw and a defeat, which has seen UCD become the form team in the First Division after leaders Limerick.
 
 
BETTING
Shelbourne 2/1; Draw 23/10; UCD 6/5.
 
 
PREDICTION
Shelbourne 1 – 2 UCD.
 
 
Shelbourne
Injured: None.
Doubtful: None.
Suspended: Daire Doyle.
Unavailable: Aidan Collins.
 
UCD
Injured: Tomas Boyle (neck), Brian Shortall (hamstring), Adam Harney (groin), and Samir Belhout (groin)
Doubtful: None.
Suspended: None.