League Preview: Waterford -v- Shelbourne

WATERFORD

Waterford look to put the disappointment of losing top spot to Cobh Ramblers behind them as they host Shelbourne at the RSC on Friday night (kick-off 7.45pm).

The Blues have struggled for consistency this season, exemplified by the fact they wrested first place from Cobh before dropping points to Cabinteely and UCD.

The returning Davy McDaid rescued a draw at home to the Students last week after Jason McClelland had given the visitors the lead late in the first half.

The Blues also drew on their last meeting with Shelbourne as a brace from defender Derek Prendergast earned the hosts a point.

“I think that we owe Shelbourne one after the disappointment of dropping two points up in Tolka Park earlier in the season,” sadid midfielder Shane O'Connor.

“I thought that we done enough on that night to win the game but we conceded a silly goal that cost us two points.

“We didn’t get the win last week against UCD but I thought that we were brilliant. It was probably our best performance of the season. We were brilliant all over the field but just couldn’t get the win.

“We missed a lot of chances so it’s vital that we take those chances that come our way against Shelbourne on Friday night.

“We need to get back to winning ways but also to try get back on top of the table again.”

Alan Reynolds will be without Sander Puri, Kenny Browne and Ian McLoughlin as they continue their injury recovery while Dean O'Halloran will also miss out after picking up a knee injury last week.

Davy McDaid is a doubt after going off in the midweek cup loss to Dundalk, while Patrick McClean, Gary Delaney and Anthony McAlevey will be assessed before kick-off.

SHELBOURNE

Shelbourne travel to Waterford on the back of three straight league defeats, with the most recent coming at home to Cobh Ramblers last week.

Owen Heary's side were a touch unfortunate to come out the wrong side of the result as they created more than their share but lost out to Karl Caulfield's stunning second-half strike.

“Another frustrating night for us. I thought we played very well and created a lot of chances again,” Heary told the club's website.

“We don’t take our chances and then that bad luck that we have been getting over the last couple of games has come back again where their player goes to cross the ball and it ends up in the far corner.

“At the moment we’re having a bit of a lull but if we were playing bad it would be heads down.

“We’re playing good football, creating chances and we just need to turn those chances into goals and I think that happens and we get a little run and a bit of momentum we can push on.”

Heary will be without striker James English after he was sent off against Cobh, Chris Lyons, Dylan Kavanagh and Aidan Collins are injured, while Adam O'Connor is a doubt with flu.

Referee: David Keeler

MATCH STATS

The sides met four times in the league last season where, remarkably, the away side came away victorious on three occasions.

Shels won 4-1 at the RSC in April before Waterford returned the favour, winning 2-0 at Tolka Park in June.

Waterford won the return meeting at home 2-1 before completing a clean sweep at Tolka Park with a 1-0 win on the final day of the season to jump above the Reds into fifth.

BETTING

Waterford 8/11; Draw 11/4; Shelbourne 10/3.

PREDICTION

Waterford 1 – 2 Shelbourne

Waterford

Injured: Kenny Browne, Ian McLoughlin, Sander Puri, Dean O’Halloran.

Doubtful: David McDaid, Patrick McClean, Gary Delaney, Anthony McAlavey.

Suspended: None.

Shelbourne

Injured: Dylan Kavanagh, Chris Lyons, Aidan Collins.

Doubtful: Adam O’Connor.

Suspended: James English.