League of Ireland Premier Division leaders Shamrock Rovers will be bidding to return to winning ways when they make the trip to Shelbourne on Friday night.

Shamrock Rovers are currently top of the League of Ireland Premier Division table, six points clear of second-placed Drogheda United, while Shelbourne are fifth, nine points off the head of the division.

Match preview

Shelbourne boast a record of six wins, nine draws and four defeats from their 19 matches during the current season, with 27 points leaving them in fifth spot in the table, just three points behind Drogheda in second.

Damien Duff's side were last in action on May 30, drawing 1-1 with Cork City, and they have only actually been victorious in one of their previous four league games.

The Reds are the reigning League of Ireland Premier Division champions, lifting the trophy for the 14th time last year, but they are already nine points off the pace being set by opponents Shamrock.

Shelbourne will be aware of the importance of collecting all three points on Friday, and they were victorious in their last game in front of their own fans, posting a 3-2 success over Sligo Rovers.

Duff's team have picked up 16 points from their 10 home league fixtures this term, but they will be welcoming a Shamrock side with the best away record in the division, picking up 15 points from nine games.

Shamrock will enter this match off the back of a 0-0 draw with Galway United, which ended a five-game winning run for the club, who have cemented themselves at the top of the table.

Stephen Bradley's side finished second in the League of Ireland Premier Division last season, but they are in charge of the title race at this stage of proceedings, boasting a record of 10 wins, six draws and three defeats from their 19 matches to top the pile.

Shamrock are six points ahead of second-placed Drogheda, while as mentioned, they are nine clear of the reigning champions Shelbourne, so another victory on Friday evening would see them open up serious ground over Duff's team.

The Hoops are unbeaten since April 21, when they lost at home to Bohemians, winning five and drawing three of their eight matches since then.

The last two league matches between Shamrock and Shelbourne have finished all square, including a 2-2 draw in their last contest at the end of April.

Shelbourne League of Ireland Premier form:

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Shamrock Rovers League of Ireland Premier form:

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Team News

Shelbourne head coach Duff could decide to name the same starting side from the draw with Cork last time out.

John Martin has come up with four goals for the hosts this season, and he is again expected to feature in the final third of the field, with Kerr McInroy also in line to start.

Evan Caffrey operated in defence against Cork and that is again set to be the case on Friday, while there should also be in a position in the first XI for Harry Wood.

As for Shamrock, Daniel Cleary is available again after serving a recent suspension.

Graham Burke has scored eight times for the division leaders this season, and the 30-year-old will feature in an advanced area, while 16-year-old Michael Noonan should also continue in the side.

Noonan has five goals in 20 appearances for Shamrock this term, and the teenager's attacking partner is once again expected to be Aaron McEneff.

Shelbourne possible starting lineup: 

Healy; O'Sullivan, Caffrey, Wilson, Ledwidge, Coyle; Chapman, Lunney, Wood; Martin, McInroy

Shamrock Rovers possible starting lineup: 

McGinty; Grant, Honohan, O'Sullivan, Lopes, Matthews; Byrne, Healy, Burke; Noonan, McEneff

We say: Shelbourne 1-1 Shamrock Rovers

This is a really tough match to call; Shamrock will enter as the favourites due to their form this season, especially on their travels. That being said, Shelbourne are a very strong side, and we are expecting the home team to be good enough for a share of the spoils on Friday night.

For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.

Written by
Matt Law

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