League Preview: Shelbourne -v- Cabinteely

SHELBOURNE

Looking to copper-fasten their grip on the top of the First Division table, Shelbourne host Cabinteely at Tolka Park on Friday evening (kick-off at 7.45pm).

Five points clear at the top of the second tier, the Reds look set to seal their return to the Premier Division for the first time since 2013.

However, talk of an impending return to the Premier Division has been continually put on ice by the Shels players and backroom team.

Speaking ahead of the game with his club’s in-house media team, Morris is hoping his side can continue the momentum his team have picked up in recent weeks.  

“It was great to get two away wins on the bounce after the break. It’s a crucial period where you can go away and not maintain that momentum and luckily for us, we have.

“They were two tough places to go and we got maximum points, so we’ll be looking again to extend that Friday night,” he added.

“It was really good to see Shane get on the scoresheet, and James as well, who has had a lot of chances to score this year.

“It’s an interesting one where the top four are all playing each other so everybody will be smelling blood and looking to take points home.

“With mentality and pride you don’t want anyone to take maximum points off you so, it will be in the back of the mind, but it won’t affect how we prepare.”

Ryan Brennan will be Shelbourne’s only absentee through suspension on Friday evening.

CABINTEELY

After a morale-boosting set of back-to-back wins, Cabinteely make the trip to Tolka Park on Friday evening.

The Red have struggled against Cabo in recent times and speaking to his club’s media team, manager Pat Devlin is hoping his side can trouble the title-chasing Reds at the Richmond Road venue.

“We’ve had the Indian sign on Shelbourne this season and we’ve won the two previous meetings,” the former Bray Wanderers boss said.

“We’re back to the form we were in earlier and we have to go to Tolka with a confidence of winning the game and we’re looking forward to the challenge. If we have any ambitions for the league, then we must go to Tolka looking for the win.

“We’ve brought in a few extra players and we’re in a situation where we play Shelbourne, Longford Town, Drogheda United and Limerick FC in our next four First Division matches. In between, we have Cork City in the FAI Cup. That’s going to keep fellas on their toes.”

He added; “They’ll want to play in those games. It’s a fantastic opportunity for lads in the team at the moment. It’s also something for players not in the team at the moment to strive for and they may get that opportunity to play.”

Cabinteely are likely to have a full squad to choose from on Friday evening.

Referee: Keith Kennedy (IFA).

MATCH STATS

Shelbourne have not beaten Cabinteely since October 2017, with Cabo winning five of the last eight over their Northside rivals.

The Green and Whites are winless in their past five league games with two wins on the bounce. Prior to the win over Wexford at home, Cabo went five games without a win.

Ian Morris’ side have won their previous eight games on the spin with their most recent league defeat coming against Cabinteely.

BETTING

Shelbourne 4/9; Draw 11/4; Cabinteely 5/1.

PREDICTION

Shelbourne 1 - 1 Cabinteely

Shelbourne

Injured: None.

Doubtful: None.

Suspended: Ryan Brennan.

Cabinteely

Injured: None.

Doubtful: None.

Suspended: None.