Tolka Park (8pm Tuesday)

Eircom League First Division

SHAMROCK ROVERS

Shamrock Rovers season is threatening to derail having lost twice to close rivals Limerick in the last week. The first of those defeats sent Rovers crashing out of the League Cup at the Quarter-Final stage while the second seen the Hoops fall four points behind the Shannonsiders at the top of the First Division. In the Cup, Scully's men played quite well and were very unlucky to lose to a John Lester deflected free-kick that deceived the Divisions best goalkeeper, Barry Murphy. That was enough to win the game although it seemed the Tallaght club would gain revenge on Friday. But, this time luck had nothing to do with Limerick winning and it could have and should have been more. After a lively opening forty-five minutes, Limerick came out quicker and opened the scoring through Paul Rose in the 57th minute. Noel O'Connor's men were then awarded their fourth spot-kick in as many games but this time the chance was spurned and it seemed luck might be shining on Rovers. It wasn't to be however and they went down to just their second loss of the year.

Both those defeats have come away from home, the other in Galway and after appearing to be certainties for the league in the early part of the campaign, Rovers are now stuttering with a host of teams closing up behind them, including tonights opponents, Finn Harps. This is a massive game for the Hoops if they want to close the gap at the top and they know with Limerick facing a tough trip to Oriel Park, that a win here could close that points difference to just one. That Paul Rose goal on Friday in Hogan Park was just the fourth that Rovers have conceded all season and they have by far the best defensive record in the league. They possess a rotten trait, however, as they consistently fail to kill off teams despite dominating matches. That will have to change and its likely it will with a man like Pat Scully at the helm. Their last home game was against Monaghan on the 30th of June but its best not to look at that when assessing this game as it may throw you off. The 4-0 scoreline looks pretty but they just managed to do what every other home team have done against Monaghan and hammered them. This is a must win!

FINN HARPS

Finn Harps had a big shadow cast over them after their League Cup defeat against Shelbourne last Wednesday when it was announced that the players had agreed to take a 50% cut in their wages. "Agreed" maybe not the correct word as it seems they had little choice in the matter. They are just another club in a long list that have failed to pay players what was promised with Shelbourne now also finding it difficult to get by. Harps put their heads down and dug in, however, on Saturday night when they made the 700 mile round-trip to Cork to take on the leagues most in-form side, Cobh Ramblers. They got off to a wonderful start thanks to a Chris Malseed strike in the ninth minute but all their good work seemed to be undone on 22 minutes when goalkeeper James Gallagher was sent-off for what appeared to be nothing. He came racing out to the edge of the box to clear the ball from Dave Warren but was then sensationally shown a red-card. To add to the problem, Harps had no goalkeeper on the bench and had to put a centre-half into the nets. He did quite well but was eventually beaten approaching the hour-mark.

Stephen Yelverton sent a delightful chip over him from the edge of the box to level the home side. That should have been the goal that set Ramblers on the way to another win but maybe the presence of Roy Keane at the game put added pressure on Henderson's men and within eight minutes of the equaliser, Davitt Walsh scored the winner to give Harps an excellent victory. That triumph put the Donegal outfit up to fifth position, just three points off second and they could now come from nowhere to challenge for the league crown. Last year seen the Ballybofey men relegated from the Premier but prior to that, they had finished 2nd, 2nd, 3rd and 1st in this section so they certainly know how to play at this level. Their away form has been a problem lately with defeats in Kilkenny and Athlone along with a draw in Monaghan before that win in Cobh and it seems they will drop yet more points in this fixture as there is a class difference in the two squads. The next five days sees Harps take on both Rovers and Dundalk so its a week that could make or probably break their season.

THIS SEASONS FORM & TEAM NEWS

Previous Meeting This Season:
Finn Harps 0-0 Shamrock Rovers

Shamrock Rovers Home Form This Season:
4-0 Monaghan United
2-0 Kildare County
1-1 Cobh Ramblers
1-0 Kilkenny City
0-0 Galway United
2-1 Dundalk FC

Finn Harps Away Form This Season:
2-1 Cobh Ramblers
0-0 Monaghan United
0-1 Kilkenny City
0-1 Athlone Town
3-1 Dundalk
1-2 Limerick
1-1 Galway United
5-2 Kildare County

Shamrock Rovers: The Hoops will be without new signing Andy Myler for up to a fortnight after the striker injured an ankle in training. Defender Barry Prenderville has been released while Ger O'Brien and Seamus Long remain injured.

Finn Harps: Harps, buoyed by their morale boosting win in Cobh, are hoping to get permission from Donegal GAA boss Brian McIver to use goalkeeper Michael Boyle as James Gallagher, sent-off at St.Colmans Park, is banned and Gavin Cullen (groin) is out for a month.

VERDICT

Rovers have had a number of games postponed this year but this one will be played and with Harps suffering a goalkeeping crisis, a home win in likely. Most of Rovers stuttering has come on their travels so now back on 'home' turf, another three points should be secured against a Harps side that surely can't cause two shocks in the one week. Saturdays win over Cobh was probably deserved but they definitely caught the Cork club on an off-night and they are unlikely to find Rovers in the same state.

Pat Scully clearly wants a more lethal weapon in attack and getting the services of Andy Myler should give him that. Its unfortunate that Myler has been injured already but with Willie Doyle in attack, Rovers should have more than enough to win here. After falling four points behind table-toppers Limerick, a win against Harps is a must before a daunting trip to Cobh at the weekend. Back to basics for Rovers with a 1-0 win looking a good value bet.

The Pick :

Rovers 1-0 Harps

PERCENTAGE ESTIMATE :

58% Rovers - 37% Draw - 5% Finn Harps

FIXED ODDS BETTING :

Shamrock Rovers to win @ 8/11 (General)

VALUE BET

Rovers to win 1-0 @ 6/1 (Ladbrokes)