20.00 7 Aug 2015 -
Referee: Robert Rogers
League Preview: Shamrock Rovers -v- St. Patrick's Athletic
- Dave Donnelly
- Fri, Aug 07 2015
SHAMROCK ROVERS
Shamrock Rovers host St Patrick's Athletic at Tallaght Stadium (KO 8pm), for the second time in four days, still smarting from Monday's EA Sports Cup semi-final defeat, as the Saints won 4-2 on penalties after 120 goalless minutes.
Pat Fenlon's side have won their last three league games – and their last five at home – and remain unbeaten in Tallaght in the league this season, though they have lost the EA Sports Cup game to Pats and their Europa League second round qualifier to Odds BK.
Fenlon said: “We have to start beating the teams above us, it's as simple as that. The four games with Pats this season have all been close; there's not a lot between the two sides. We expect a tough game on Friday.
“I'm delighted with the progress of the younger lads. Players like Brandon Miele, Mikey Drennan and Luke Byrne have been regular starters this season and we have now introduced both Cian and Dylan Kavanagh to the team and they have fit in very comfortably".
“It is challenging to play for Shamrock Rovers. The players need to show that they can handle it and, so far, they have so I am delighted with their progress.”
Rovers have no new injury concerns but remain without the services of Sean O'Connor, Keith Fahey, Stephen McPhail and new signing Damien Duff.
ST PATRICK’S ATHLETIC
St Patrick's Athletic won the first round of their Tallaght double-header on Monday, and face into Friday's fixture with the prospect of charting their longest-ever winning streak in the league, should they make it eight-in-a-row with victory over Rovers.
Coach Liam Buckley told stpatsfc.com: “We were delighted to get through the tie on Monday. I thought we played well in the first half and dealt with the conditions reasonably well.
“We kept plugging away to break the deadlock and were unlucky in a few instances, but overall, to get the win in the end on penalties, we're delighted and now we look forward to a final against Galway in a few weeks.
"In relation to Friday, we know it'll again be difficult. Both teams should be fine in relation to fitness as the legs will have recovered in time for the game. It's a big game in relation to where the teams are in the league table so it should make for a good game of football.”
Buckley will again have to contend without striker Christy Fagan as he recovers from a knee injury while new signing Shane McEleney, who was cup-tied on Monday, misses through a suspension sustained with Derry City. Seán Hoare faces a late fitness test.
Referee: Rob Rogers.
MATCH STATS
Shamrock Rovers and St Patrick's Athletic meet for the fifth time this season, and for the third time in the league. Shamrock Rovers won in Tallaght on the opening day of the season, while the points were shared at Richmond Park in May.
The sides have also met in both cups, Pats triumphing 2-1 at Richmond Park in the FAI Cup before prevailing on penalties in the EA Sports Cup semi-final on Monday.
The last ten league meetings between the sides have resulted in three wins apiece and four draws. The last ten meetings at Tallaght Stadium have yielded six wins for the Hoops, two for Pats (including penalties) and two draws.
BETTING
Home 8/5; Draw 21/10; Away 7/4.
PREDICTION
Home 1 – 1 Away
Home
Injured: Damien Duff (ankle), Keith Fahey (knee), Stephen McPhail (knee), Sean O'Connor (ankle).
Doubtful: None.
Suspended: None.
Away
Injured: Christy Fagan (knee).
Doubtful: Seán Hoare (hamstring).
Suspended: Shane McEleney.