EA Sports Cup Preview: Shelbourne -v- Longford Town

SHELBOURNE

Shelbourne will look to gain swift revenge on Longford Town following their 3-1 defeat on Saturday night to Alan Mathews charges at the City Calling Stadium (Kick-Off 7pm, Tolka Park)

Shels enter this 2nd Round EA Sports Cup tie on the back of receiving a bye into this stage of the competition.

Owen Heary’s side are going to be without the services of Aidan Collins, Dylan Kavanagh, Niall Lanigan and Mikey Murphy, all of whom who sat out Saturday night’s defeat to Longford.

Previously to the Longford league defeat, Shels were on a three game winning run picking up victories against Wexford Youths, Athlone Town and Cabinteely.

Shels will be hoping to build on last season’s EA Sports Cup campaign which saw them exit on penalties to Shamrock Rovers at the Quarter-Final stage

LONGFORD TOWN

Longford hope to extend their current four match unbeaten run on Monday.

Alan Mathews is likely to be without Noel Haverty, Don Cowan, Jake Kelly and record top club goalscorer David O Sullivan.

This will be the third time the clubs have met in in as many months following the sides previous two encounters in the league campaign.

The Town qualified for this round of the competition following a thrilling 4-3 victory over local rivals Athlone which saw David O’Sullivan grab his second hat trick against Athlone this season.

Referee: Eoghan O’Shea

MATCH STATS

Both clubs are tied on one league cup win each. Shelbourne last won the cup in the 1995/96 season and Longford won theirs in 2004.

A penalty has been awarded to Longford Town during both clashes this season.

Shelbourne have won 11 out of the last 20 clashes between the clubs, however they have failed to beat Longford Town in their last 4 attempts.

BETTING

Shelbourne 7/5; Draw 23/10; Longford Town 7/4

PREDICTION

Shelbourne 0 Longford Town 1

Shelbourne

Injured: Aidan Collins, Dylan Kavanagh, Niall Lanigan, Mikey Murphy

Doubtful: None

Suspended: None

Longford Town

Injured: Noel Haverty

Doubtful: Don Cowan, David O'Sullivan, Jake Kelly

Suspended: None