Shamrockvs.Shelbourne

Shelbourne lead the division, boasting 34 points from their 18 matches this term, while Shamrock are six points behind in third on the same number of games.

Match preview

Shamrock have won seven, drawn seven and lost four of their 18 league matches this season to collect 28 points, which has left them in third spot in the table, six points off the leaders Shelbourne.

Rovers are the leading goalscorers in the top flight this term, finding the back of the net on 27 occasions, but they have conceded 18, which is the most in the top six.

Stephen Bradley's side will enter the match off the back of a 1-0 success over Derry City, with Johnny Kenny netting the only goal of the contest in the seventh minute.

Shamrock had been on a four-game winless run ahead of the clash with Derry, so it was an important match, and they will now be aiming to make it back-to-back victories for the first time since the middle of April.

The Hoops are the reigning League of Ireland Premier Division champions, securing the trophy for the 21st time last season, and they will be bidding to move closer to the summit on Friday night.

Shelbourne have been the best side in the top flight so far this season, boasting a record of nine wins, seven draws and two defeats from their 18 games to collect 34 points, which has left them four points ahead of second-placed Derry.

The Reds are 13-time League of Ireland Premier Division champions, with their last success coming in 2006, and they finished in fourth position last season.

Damien Duff's side will enter this match off the back of a 2-1 victory over St Patrick's Athletic, and they are unbeaten in the league since the middle of April.

Shelbourne have the best away record in the division this season, picking up 16 points from nine matches, but Shamrock have only lost one of their nine games in front of their own fans.

The Reds have been beaten in just one of their last six league games with Shamrock, but the points were shared in a 1-1 draw when the two teams last locked horns on April 22.

Shamrock Rovers League of Ireland Premier form:

W

D

L

D

L

W

Shelbourne League of Ireland Premier form:

W

D

D

D

W

W

Team News

Shamrock are set to be without the services of seven first-team players for Friday's contest.

Indeed, Darragh Burns, Rory Gaffney, Dylan Watts, Richard Towell, Gary O'Neil, Sean Hoare and Lee Grace are all expected to be unavailable for selection against Shelbourne.

Kenny netted his seventh goal of the season last time out, and the 20-year-old is again expected to lead the home side's line in this match.

Shelbourne, meanwhile, will again be missing Shane Griffin due to a calf problem, while Will Jarvis is a doubt due to the problem which forced him off against St Patrick's Athletic last time out.

Head coach Duff may make just the one change from the side that started the 2-1 success, with Jonathan Lunney expected to be introduced in place of Jarvis.

Sean Boyd has scored six times in the league this season, and he will again operate in the final third for the team currently at the top of the division.

Shamrock Rovers possible starting lineup:

Pohls; Clery, Lopes, Honohan; Farrugia, Nugent, Poom, Kavanagh, Clarke; Kenny, Burke

Shelbourne possible starting lineup:

Kearns; Gannon, Barrett, Molloy, Ledwidge; O'Sullivan, Coyle; Burt, Smith, Lunney; Boyd

We say: Shamrock Rovers 1-1 Shelbourne

This is an important match for both sides, with Shelbourne able to open up serious ground on Shamrock if they triumph on Friday night. We are struggling to pick a winner here, though, with both sides potentially being made to settle for a share of the spoils.

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