Their recent improvement has taken some pressure off Don O'Riordan's youngsters ahead of this evening's rearranged visit to Tolka and a continuation of the point-a-game form they have shown against the champions over the past season and a half would please the manager.
O'Riordan will be without Darragh Sheridan and Billy Clery, both starting suspensions. Bobby Ryan returns from suspension. Shelbourne, with a full squad available, will be keen to keep the pressure on the chasing pack by securing another win. Stephen Geoghegan and Jim Crawford are in the reckoning despite coming off against Shamrock Rovers with slight hamstring problems while Pat Scully, Pat Fenlon and Richie Foran are available to return after missing that match. At least two are likely to start.
Last two seasons: 1999/00: Shelbourne 1 United 1, United 0 Shelbourne 0, Shelbourne 1 United 1; 00/01: United 1 Shelbourne 1.
Current league form: Shelbourne: LWWWW; United: DLDWW.
Leading scorers: Shelbourne: Foran (eight); United: Lavine (nine).
Betting: Home: 1/2, Draw: 9/4, Away: 6/1.
Referee: J Stacey (Athlone).
Betting courtesy of Paddy Power.
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