Our footy writer previews five of the Irish Premier Division fixtures which will get underway on Friday evening.
With around 11 games to go in the season, Cork City lead the pack by quite some distance. The runaway leaders are 15 points clear of their closest title rivals – Dundalk FC – leaving their faith in their own hands.
It’s a very different situation at the bottom of the standings with eighth place Finn Harps FC and bottom-dwellers Drogheda United separated by only six points. Let’s not speak as if the season is drawing to a close sometime soon as we still have enough rounds of Irish Premier Division to entertain us until the big European Leagues restart.
Friday 21 July
Dundalk FC 13/20 | Draw 28/10 | Shamrock Rovers 37/10
Dundalk FC and Shamrock Rovers will open proceedings on Friday evening. The hosts have been in top form with five wins on the spin, scoring a colossal 16 goals without conceding. They have won eight of their 11 matches on home soil and will be determined to build on that.
Shamrock Rovers have been dreadful on the road this season with seven losses from 10 games. The reverse tie ended 2-1 in favour of Rovers but with home advantage, Dundalk are tipped to add to their incredible winning run.
Galway 9/10 | Draw 47/20 | Drogheda United 29/10
Galway will take on Drogheda United in a bottom of the table clash which is expected to go down to the wire. The Tribesmen have managed just three wins from 22 games and will be desperately looking to capitalise on home advantage here.
The Drogs are without a win in their last five travels, including three defeats. They have scored just seven goals on the road this season, conceding 24 times. With both teams struggling to find the back of the net, the Under 2.5 Goals market looks extremely appealing at 13/20.
St Patricks 13/10 | Draw 47/20 | Bray Wanderers 37/20
St Patricks will be looking to climb out of the bottom three with a victory over Bray Wanderers. The home side are coming off the back of an impressive 2-1 win over Derry City, while their opponents have suffered back-to-back defeats, conceding five goals without scoring.
Five of the last six meetings between the sides have seen both teams find the back of the net. An end-to-end game of football is on the cards with Both Teams To Score – Yes – being the tip at 6/10.
Bohemians 2/1 | Draw 23/10 | Derry City 5/4
Bohemians and Derry City will lock horns in the penultimate match of gameweek 23. The Gypsies have been poor of late with two losses on the bounce and to make matters worse, they have the second worst home record in the league.
Derry City haven’t been at their best either, going down three times in their last four matches. They are also winless on the road in their last eight travels, including consecutive defeats. They seem to start games well but just can’t seem to see it through to the end. Get on the Matchflow market, with the away team tipped to score first and the match ending in a draw at a valuable 7/1!
Saturday 22 July
Limerick 17/20 | Draw 47/20 | Sligo Rovers 31/10
We close off the round on Saturday evening with Limerick and Sligo Rovers going toe-to-toe. The former have been inconsistent and are coming off a disappointing 3-1 loss away to Galway United but will be eager to bounce back to winning ways.
Sligo Rovers have the worst away record in the league as they remain without a win on their travels, scoring eight goals and conceding 25 times. Limerick have won the last three meetings at home against Sligo Rovers and are tipped to add to that. The home win should be backed.
THIS WEEK’S SELECTED TREBLE IS TIPPED @ 4/1
Dundalk FC Win 13/20
Galway v Drogheda United – Under 2.5 Goals 13/20
Limerick FC Win 17/20
Written by Aaron Crowie for @Hollywoodbets
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