League Preview: Shelbourne -v- Waterford United

SHELBOURNE
The curtain comes down on both Shelbourne and Waterford’s SSE Airtricity League First Division campaigns on Saturday evening as the mid-table rivals clash at Tolka Park, kick off 7.45 pm. Shelbourne manager Owen Heary will be desperate to finish the season on a high. Having endured a difficult start to his reign as manager, Heary can ensure a fifth place finish with at least a draw against Waterford, as both sides sit on 30 points with Shelbourne boasting a much superior goal difference.

The club will be striving towards improvement next season. In particular, the Tolka Park outfit’s record against the top sides has been very poor throughout and a lot of improvement is required. The Reds task will not be helped by the absence of key players such as Aidan Collins and Adam O’Connor through injury.

The Reds have picked up just one point from their last three games, albeit the opposition was Limerick, UCD and Drogheda who occupy the top three positions in the table at a crucial stage of the season. Shelbourne have played Waterford 12 times at their Drumcondra home since 2006 and have been victorious on seven occasions. Even with the high number of absentees, the home side will be confident of avenging two previous defeats to Waterford in 2016.

WATERFORD UNITED

Waterford have endured a miserable campaign compounded by the departure of Roddy Collins over a week ago. The Blues currently sit in 6^th place but they can overtake their hosts with victory on Saturday night.

Although the visitors beat Athlone Town by three goals to nil in their last fixture at the RSC in 2016, their results have been very poor since August. In their last six league games, they have won one, drawn one and lost four. The visitors have conceded 18 goals while only scoring on six occasions in that time.

Waterford’s record away from home in 2016 has been exceptionally poor and will give their loyal supporters little confidence heading in to the season finale. The Blues have lost eight of their 12 away fixtures. The club have only managed four wins from a possible 29 matches against their hosts over the last ten seasons.

Referee: Alan Carey

MATCH STATS

In the previous three meetings between Shelbourne and Waterford this season, the Blues have the upper hand as they have emerged victorious from the last two fixtures. Waterford defeated Shels 2-0 when the sides met at Tolka Park in June.

Since April 2015, the sides have faced each other on seven occasions, with Shelbourne winning four times, Waterford winning two and one draw.

Waterford have only beaten Shelbourne on four occasions in the last ten years. However, three of those victories have been achieved at Tolka Park.

BETTING

Shelbourne 8/15; Draw 16/5; Waterford United 4/1,

PREDICTION

Shelbourne 3-1 Waterford United

Shelbourne

Injured: Aidan Collins, Greg Murray, Adam O’Connor, Jack Tuite.

Doubtful: None

Suspended: None

Waterford United

Injured: Unknown

Doubtful: Unknown

Suspended: None