Preview: Shels V Saints
- Fri, Oct 07, 2005 @ 13:09
Shelbourne are looking to bounce back to winning ways as they host St. Pats on Friday night. Shels seem certain to finish third but need a handful more points to be sure and the European spot that will accompany it. The Saints are still no closer to safety and haven't won in their last ten games.
Shelbourne vs St. Patricks Athletic
(Tolka Park - 8:00 pm - Premier)
Referee: Alan Kelly
Stuart Byrne is expected to replace the injured Alan Reynolds for Shels. The defending champions suffered their first defeat after four consecutive wins and hope to put the Derry loss behind them. Wes Hoolahan will miss out through injury while Gary O'Neill and Glen Crowe are likely to challenge for the second starting striker's spot. Jim Crawford is suspended.
St. Pats are just four points clear of second from bottom Waterford while Finn Harps are six points behind but have a game in hand.
The Saints have lost the three previous meetings with Shels this season and recent performances mean a win this time out would be a huge upset.
Colm Foley remains a long term injury absentee. Chris Armstrong and Alan Reilly are both out injured too but Barry Ryan is expected to shake off a training injury to start. Sean O'Connor and Robbie Doyle are suspended for the Saints. Ger Rowe is unavailable as his loan from Shels prevents him from lining out.
League form for Shelbourne : LWWWW
League form for St. Patricks Athletic : DDDLL
Previous meeting(s) :
St. Patricks Athletic 0-1 Shelbourne (08/07/2005)
Shelbourne 2-1 St. Patricks Athletic (04/07/2005)
Shelbourne 3-1 St. Patricks Athletic (15/04/2005)
St. Patricks Athletic 0-0 Shelbourne (19/11/2004)
Shelbourne 3-1 St. Patricks Athletic (20/09/2004)
IrishFootballOnline.com Prediction: Home win.
Next Fixture
Waterford / April 19th @ 7:45pmCompetition: League
Venue: Richmond Park
Tweet #stpatsfc
| Team | Pld | Pts |
|---|---|---|
| Shelbourne | 10 | 21 |
| Derry City | 10 | 16 |
| Bohemian FC | 10 | 16 |
| Shamrock Rovers | 9 | 15 |
| St Patrick's Athletic | 10 | 14 |
| Sligo Rovers | 9 | 12 |
| Waterford FC | 10 | 12 |
| Galway United FC | 9 | 11 |
| Drogheda United | 9 | 8 |
| Dundalk | 10 | 4 |