League Preview: Cabinteely -v- Shelbourne

CABINTEELY

Sixth-placed Cabinteely host fourth-placed Shelbourne in a Dublin Derby in the SSE Airtricity League First Division at Stradbrook on Friday night (kick-off 7.45pm).

Cabo go into this game on the back of a 1-1 draw away to Athlone Town. Joe Doyle equalised in the 47th minute following Jason Lyons opener for Athlone in the 37th minute.

In their last home game, Cabinteely beat promotion contenders Cobh Ramblers 2-1 thanks to goals from Marty Waters and Paul Fox.

In team news for Cabinteely, midfielder Christian Lotefa is suspended after picking up 5 yellow cards this season. In their previous encounter with Shelbourne, Lotefa put the seal on a memorable result at Tolka Park, scoring the final goal in a 4-1 victory over the Reds.

Recent signings Ryan Swan, Kieran Butler, Conor Earley and Dean Casey could all be in line to make their home debuts. Earley and utler joined Cabo from Bohemians and Casey signed from Bray Wanderers. Swan was previously of English side Exeter City and fellow First Division side UCD.

Cabinteely have had a very good season to date in the First Division, with the club lying comfortably in mid table.

However, in recent weeks Cabo have only collected 4 points from a possible 15, altough a positive to this statistic is that these 4 points have come in the last 2 games.

SHELBOURNE

Shelbourne make the short trip across the Liffey to Stradbrook in a mid-table clash in the First Division versus Cabinteely.

Last week Shelbourne were defeated at home by Wexford. After taking an early lead through James English, Wexford managed to turn the game around with goals from Thomas Croke and Mikey Byrne which sealed a big win for Wexford.

In team news, Shelbourne will be able to call upon the services of forward Jamie Doyle who has re-joined the club following a brief stint with northside rivals Bohemians. Doyle played for the Reds last season, scoring 6 goals in 26 league appearances.

Goalkeeper Dean Delany is a doubt and a decision will be made on his involvement in the game as kick-off at Stradbrook draws closer. Defenders Alan Byrne and Adam O'Connor return to the side following recent suspensions.

Speaking about the game with shelbournefc.ie, manager Owen Heary said that he is expecting a tough game at the South Dublin venue.

“It’s a tough one. Cabinteely beat us here 4-1 and we had lost to Wexford the week before that as well, so we’re hoping that we’ll get a reaction.

“The positive is that we’ll have two defenders Alan Byrne and Adam O’Connor coming back, so we’ll be a little bit stronger in that sense.”

Heary is also drawing on the positives from their encouraging away form this season and is hoping that a good result could provide a springboard for the rest of the season.

“We’re not going to get too down, our home form hasn’t been great, away form has been very good so we’re looking forward to Cabinteely.

“If we can get back with a win, we’ll see what happens in the last phase of games.”

Referee: Marc Lynch

MATCH STATS

Cabinteely have never beaten Shelbourne at Stradbrook in the League of Ireland to date.

Prior to last week;s defeat at home to Wexford, Shels were on a five-game unbeaten run, scoring impressive victories over Cobh Ramblers and UCD, both away from home.

Last time these sides met, Cabo came out on top with a comprehensive 4-1 victory over their Dublin Rivals at Tolka Park.

The Reds have had the upper hand in clashes between the two sides as they have won 8 of the last 11 games.

Six of Shels' eight wins in these games have been by just the one goal, showcasing that this game has generally been a tight affair.

BETTING

Cabinteely 8/5 Draw 11/5 Shelbourne 8/5

PREDICTION

Cabinteely 1-1 Shelbourne

Cabinteely

Injured: Unknown.

Doubtful: Unknown.

Suspended: Christian Lotefa.

Shelbourne

Injured: None.

Doubtful: Dean Delany.

Suspended: None.