League Preview: Shelbourne -v- Cobh Ramblers

SHELBOURNE

Shelbourne look for their fifth win in six games as they host a struggling Cobh Ramblers at Tolka Park on Friday evening (kick-off 7.45pm).

The Reds have gone on a fine run since losing away to Longford Town at the tail end of March, winning five of their next seven, with only four points dropped away to Drogheda United and Cabinteely.

“We’re going well lately, with the lads playing the way we want them play,” manager Ian Morris told the club’s media team.

“They’re showing character and determination, creating chances and have kept clean sheets.”

With rivals Longford Town and Cabinteely dropping points last weekend, Morris believes his team “just need to keep winning games.”

“Cobh are a good side with a few draws recently. They beat us down in Cobh and that was our most disappointing performance of the season, so we’ll look to change that on Friday,” he said.

Alex O’Hanlon remains a doubt for Shelbourne. Daniel Byrne and John Ross Wilson are still out with foot injuries.

Experienced full-back Lorcan Fitzgerald has returned to full fitness after missing last week’s game in Wexford and should find himself back in contention on Friday evening.

COBH RAMBLERS

Winless in their last five league games, Cobh Ramblers make the daunting trip up to the capital to face an in-form Shelbourne at Tolka Park.

Stephen Henderson’s side won the last tie between the pair of First Division rivals with a 2-1 win at St Colman’s Park, however, the Rams last win at Tolka Park came back in 2017 with a 1-0 win.

Striker Cian Leonard scored the winner on that occasion as Cobh kept up the chase on eventual 2017 First Division winners Waterford.

Cobh have struggled defensively in their most recent outings with ten goals conceded in their previous five.

Ramblers are unbeaten on their previous three away league excursions. Their unbeaten run of results have seen positive results for the Rams against Athlone, Wexford and Galway respectively.

Cobh have not released any team news for Friday night’s trip to the capital.

Referee: Michael Connolly.

MATCH STATS

Shelbourne have won five of their last seven league games. Ian Morris’s side have only dropped points against Cabinteely and Drogheda United since their run of two successive defeats at the end of March.

Cobh Ramblers are winless in their last five league games. The Rams last win came over Galway United at Éamonn Deacy Park in a 2-1 win for Stephen Henderson’s side.

Cobh have the best attacking record in the bottom half of the First Division table with 17 goals to their name, three more than third-placed Longford Town.

BETTING

Shelbourne 1/4; Draw 4/1; Cobh Ramblers 15/2.

PREDICTION

Shelbourne 2-0 Cobh Ramblers

Shelbourne

Injured: John Ross Wilson, Daniel Byrne.

Doubtful: Alex O’Hanlon.

Suspended: None.

Cobh Ramblers

Injured: Unknown.

Doubtful: Unknown.

Suspended: None.