The League of Ireland dazzled under the Friday night lights this week and three days later we get to do it all again. Some cracking goals, a seven goal thriller and some surprise results along the way as the new season kicked into another gear this past weekend.
So how did we do on our first predictions of the season I hear you ask? Well out of the five Premier Division matches on Friday we managed to predict one correct score and five correct results on our first night out. Three correct results in the First Division as well so a good opening night.
Can the trick be repeated for the difficult second album? Some tasty games tonight again! Who is going to win? Let’s find out!
Bohemians vs Drogheda United
Having beaten their arch-rivals Shamrock Rovers in week one, there are probably a few disappointed people around Dalymount Park that they haven’t kicked on from that result albeit they can comfortably claim the title of having put in the most miles the past couple of weeks with trips to Derry and Cork. The good news is Dalymount hosts its first game of the season tonight so it will be familiar home turf for the Gypsies but it won’t be an easy one tonight as they host a still undefeated (in the league at least) Drogheda United
This is an interesting game for Drogheda. A win here will really highlight the strides that Kevin Dohertys side have made recently and give them a five point cushion over the side they are playing tonight. They were impressive again on Friday night and having already taken a point from Richmond Park on opening night, the short trip to Dublin will hold little fears for the travelling Drogs supporters.
I like both of these sides to improve on last seasons performance which makes this one difficult to call. My gut tells me that Bohemians might just do enough tonight to get a much needed three points but Drogheda have already shown that they are going to be a difficult nut to crack this season.
Prediction Bohemians 2 Drogheda Utd 1
Galway United vs Shelbourne
A trip west for Shelbourne tonight after a tense Dublin Derby on friday night. Shels will probably feel the more disappointed of the two teams after Friday night after their fantastic start to the game but Rovers just about did enough to keep in touch and held on after their equaliser. I think my favourite soundbite of the season so far has to be Damian Duffs response when asked about Ian Hartes comments last week. It will be interesting to see how they approach this game in the early stages today as its difficult to see Galway conceding as early today as Rovers did Friday night.
Galway for their part much like the Drogheda side they played on Friday night will be fairly satisfied with their start to the season. Having put an early dent in St Pats title challenge earlier on this season John Caulfields men will be looking for something similar tonight against Duffs side. The suspicion so far is that Duffs side are still just that level or so above Pats still so it should be a more difficult home tie for Galway tonight.
Both sides come into this one in good form and after the first lost points on Friday for Shels the temptation is there to think they could be dropping another couple tonight.
Prediction Galway United 1- Shelbourne 1
Sligo Rovers vs Shamrock Rovers
Joint top scorers in the league but having conceded twice as many goals as any other team Sligo look set to be one of the great entertainers this season with very little reward so far for their efforts. Hardly the best time to be playing a team who has won four of the last five league titles but that’s the nature of the beast and at least Sligo you’d imagine have a fairly good idea of where the improvement needs to come from this season.
Rovers will have been relieved to get out of Tolka Park with their point on Friday. The injury challenges they have faced so far this season makes this game far less of a certainty than one would have felt earlier on in the season. They need to start picking up wins though and at this moment in time you imagine there is no better spot to be going to in need of a win and some goals than the Showgrounds
I think Shamrock Rovers will win a game that won’t be a comfortable one until the closing minutes. Sligo will try to make things a bit tighter tonight but eventually Rovers quality should tell with a few goals to boot.
Prediction Sligo Rovers 1 Shamrock Rovers 3
Waterford FC vs Cork City
A rock and roll Munster Derby on our TV screens as Waterford entertain Cork off the back of a surprise win at the Ryan McBride stadium on Friday night that they richly deserved. 2 away wins so far and having also impressed in defeat against Shels at home, Keith Longs side you’d imagine will be full of confidence playing their Munster Rivals
Cork for their part will have been satisfied with their work on Friday night beating Bohs at Turners Cross. After the postponement of their earlier away game in Tallaght this will mark City’s first away match of the season. The fans will have been delighted to see Maguire and Keating both off the mark for the season Friday night and it is difficult for me to think of a more exciting front two for the club since Morley and Caufield played more than twenty years ago.
I think this will be the match of the night – following on from the classic at Richmond Park Friday night I think we will see another classic here. As much as it pains me to say it as a Cork man but I’m predicting Waterford to edge a five goal thriller and send the local fans happy not just with a win but to top the table tonight.
Prediction Waterford 3 Cork City 2
St Patrick’s Athletic Vs Derry City
While the Munster Derby might be my tip for game of the night there is little doubt in my mind where the most pressure will be felt tonight as these two pre season title contenders battle to keep up with the leaders having both suffered early setbacks.
Pats obviously rebounded with a 4-3 win against Sligo in a classic Friday after dropping five points in their first two games. Chris Forrister played his part in his 300th game for the club and will be looking for something similar tonight in game 301.
Derry will have been bitterly disappointed to have lost at home to Sligo with this game looming on the horizon. Tiernan Lynch is rapidly learning the difficulty of the task at hand at Derry and getting some consistency out of the players is going to require some work.
I think the job won’t be any easier tonight as Pats will do enough tonight to get the three points.
Prediction St Patrick’s Athletic 2 Derry City 0
No First Division games tonight so that’s yer lot in terms of predictions for tonight. Until Friday- enjoy another night watching the #greatestleagueintheworld