Shelbourne are set to host Galway United at Tolka Park in the League of Ireland on Friday in a game that the hosts will hope to win in order to maintain their lead at the top of the table.
The home side currently have 43 points and are two clear of second-placed Derry City, while the visitors are 13 points behind in fifth place, although they do have two games in hand.
Match preview
Shelbourne will be pleased with their campaign so far considering that they are first after 22 games with 43 points and have a game in hand on second-placed Derry City.
Indeed, at their current rate they are on track to record 70 points, which would be significantly more than the 60 they achieved last season.
The Reds have been on an upward trajectory since returning to the top flight in 2022, finishing seventh with 41 points in their first season back before finishing fourth in 2023.
Interestingly, despite being first they have neither the division's best offensive nor defensive record, and in fact rank fourth and second in these metrics respectively having scored 25 times and conceded 14.
Former Chelsea and Newcastle player Damien Duff took charge of Shelbourne in November 2021 after initially turning down approaches from the club.
This is Duff's first managerial role, and considering he could lead his side to their first league title since 2006, it is fair to say he has performed well at Tolka Park.
Shelbourne have won their last two league matches as well as five of their last six and have in fact lost just four times in 33 home games.
Meanwhile, although opponents Galway did win their last league game against Drogheda United on June 13, they did lose their two previous matches in the top flight.
Additionally, the visitors have lost their last two away games in the League of Ireland and have only won five of their last 36 top-flight matches on the road.
However, this term they have won four and drawn three of their away games in the league, and considering this is their first season back in Ireland's premier division since 2017, this can be seen as a good return.
Manager John Caulfield will be pleased with his side's campaign after 20 games given they are already 11 points clear of second last and ninth-placed Dundalk, who occupy the division's relegation playoff spot.
Under the management of Caulfield this term, Galway have scored 17 goals but more impressively have only conceded 13, and this makes them the division's best defensive team so far.
Last time out against Shelbourne in the league, Galway prevailed 1-0 on May 19, and they have won three of their last four top-flight matches against Friday's hosts.
Team News
The home side come into the game without any injuries and should be able to name a relatively unchanged XI from their 1-0 victory against Waterford last time out on June 13.
Tyreke Wilson was forced off in that game but has since recovered, and this could be important given that Shelbourne often played diagonal passes towards the left-back as a means of progressing up the pitch against Waterford.
In defence, Kameron Ledwidge could retain his place alongside Gavin Molloy, while John Martin could also be partnered with Liam Burt in the forward line.
As for the visitors, they will be without defender Colm Horgan due to a knee injury which has kept him out since early April.
Elsewhere, Galway can expect goalkeeper Brendan Clarke to be shielded by centre-backs Maurice Nugent and Killian Brouder.
Having scored twice last time out against Drogheda on June 13, striker Stephen Walsh will be keen to add to his tally of five league goals.
Shelbourne possible starting lineup:
Kearns; Gannon, Molloy, Ledwidge, Wilson; Caffrey, Coyle, Lunney, Jarvis; Burt, Martin
Galway United possible starting lineup:
Clarke; Esua, Nugent, Brouder, Kazeem; Buckley, McCormack; O'Sullivan, Hurley, McCarthy; Walsh
We say: Shelbourne 1-0 Galway United
Considering that both Shelbourne and Galway have been excellent defensively this season, it is fair to expect that Friday's clash could be low scoring.
However, given the hosts' title ambitions and their strong 2024 campaign so far, they should come into the game as favourites.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Lewis Nolan
