Preview: St. Patrick's Athletic v Shamrock Rovers
Thursday 26th April 2007, 11:58 pm
Joseph Ndo, Saint Patrick's Athletic.
Photo by Tom Carey.
Saint Patrick's Athletic fell to their first defeat of 2007 as they lost in extra-time to Drogheda on Monday night in the Setanta Sports Cup. The Saints are still top of the league and unbeaten though as they prepare to host Shamrock Rovers on Friday night. Rovers are fifth in the table after a mixed start to the season.
St. Patricks Athletic vs Shamrock Rovers
(Richmond Park - 7:45 pm - Premier)
Referee : Alan Kelly
The Saints have won six of their seven league games to date with a 0-0 draw with Bohemians their only dropped points so far. They also boast the best defensive record having conceded just two goals in those seven league games to date.
Rovers have been tight defensively too having let in just four goals in seven games, but similar to their Dublin rivals have kept five clean-sheets to date. They almost battled back to gain a point in last week's hard fought loss to Drogheda United at Tolka Park.
Despite Rovers' presence in the first division last season, the clubs still met twice in 2006 with either side picking up a two goal win away from home. Rovers won an early season League Cup game with the Saints advancing to the FAI Cup Final with a win over the Hoops in late October.
Joseph Ndo is very doubtful for the game as is Michael Foley who limped off injured on Monday night. Anthony Murphy who also went off injured in that game is also a slight doubt. Stephen Paisley is available again after being ineligible for the Setanta game.
Captain Aidan Price, Paul Shiels and Eric McGill are all out with long term injuries for Rovers. Tadhg Purcell, Ger Rowe and Danny O'Connor are all injury doubts going into the game and are likely to face late fitness tests.
League form for St. Patricks Athletic : WDWWW
League form for Shamrock Rovers : LDWLW
Previous meeting(s) : Shamrock Rovers 0-2 St. Patricks Athletic (27/10/2006)
St. Patricks Athletic 0-2 Shamrock Rovers (02/05/2006)
St. Patricks Athletic 3-1 Shamrock Rovers (04/11/2005)
Shamrock Rovers 0-0 St. Patricks Athletic (05/08/2005)
St. Patricks Athletic 1-1 Shamrock Rovers (13/05/2005)
IrishFootballOnline.com Prediction: Home win.