Pardon the pun but it’s not a Good Friday for League of Ireland fans tonight it’s a Great Friday! With two points separating first from fifth and with four of those top 5 playing each other tonight we could be in for a lot of fluctuation in that league table tonight! Not forgetting we have a full set of games Monday as well!
Last weekend was one of those rare ones where we did not have a single draw across any off the Premier Division games- not good news for the man who predicted three of them last weekend. In the end throwing in Monday Nights rearranged fixture we had 3 correct results last weekend in the Premier Division! All in all a pretty solid weekend! On the first division side of things not a great one with Kerrys win the sole brightspot there. Anyway its time to take a look at tonights games!
Drogheda United vs Shelbourne
Tonights live TV match-up is shaping up to be a cracker as top of the table Drogheda take on last year’s title winners in what will be a stiff test of Droghedas title credentials. For the first time this season all matches played tonight will have some sort of guide for us to go on as every team has played each other before- twice in this fixtures case as Shels won the Presidents Cup and Drogheda took the spoils in their one league meeting so far.
Despite the dire predictions given by some in Lansdowne Roar towers pre-season Drogheda have been excellent so far this season and the away win in Derry last week really feels like a signature moment for this team. A home tie tonight will surely mean a cracking atmosphere at Sullivan and Lambe Park and they will be hoping Conor Keeley has kept his scoring boots on from last time out.
Shels eeked out the win last time out in their North Dublin Derby thanks to Ademipo Odubeko’s goal! It’s been interesting listening to some of the discourse this week about his finishing ability but the praise for the rest of his game has been high so surely its just a matter of time before the goals start raining in. Could that happen tonight?
I think it’s definitely a possibility! Overall with one win apiece so far, my gut tells me a draw might come into play here tonight. I think there will be goals though!
Prediction Drogheda United 2 Shelbourne 2
Bohemians vs Cork City
Tonight will be a sombre occasion in Dalymount as Bohemians mourn the loss of a club legend- Billy Young who passed away today. Tonight provides the perfect opportunity against an injury ravaged Cork side and a chance to gain some revenge for their 2-1 loss earlier on in the season.
Bohs last week, while disappointed will probably feel like a goal loss to the defending champions was not the most unexpected result in the world. Tonight though they will really feel that this is an opportunity to kick on and put in a good performance against an out of form Cork
It was a tough week at Turners Cross and Tim Clancy did not hold back on Monday night after the game. Greg Bolger is hopefully back tonight for the Rebel Army but is that enough to hinder Bohemians?
The feeling is it might just not be
Prediction Bohemians 1 Cork City 0
St Patrick’s Athletic Vs Shamrock Rovers
The other massive game on the night with leadership implications is the South Dublin Derby. Both sides coming into it off the top of wins and Rovers taking the honours the last time they met.
This should be a cracking game. Both sides know that a win here has the other one playing catch-up and the fact that both will be involved from the very start in Europe. Pats will have been satisfied to have got the three points in Cork this week and knowing they will have the benefit of fresher legs this week due to Rovers having the extra game Monday night.
To say its been an interesting few days at Shamrock Rovers is a bit of an understatement the extra-ordinary statement released by Dermot Desmond on Wednesday night will have raided a few eyebrows around the league. The goals are beginning to flow a bit more and there will be a bit of pressure on the players this evening to ensure that the outside dynamics don’t disrupt the rhythm they are getting into.
I have a feeling it might and with home advantage Pats might just edge this one!
Prediction St Patrick’s Athletic 1 Shamrock Rovers 0
Waterford FC vs Sligo Rovers
This is an interesting one tonight as neither team is in great form with no wins in their last six games. Waterford edged a thriller on the opening weekend in Sligo so Sligo will be looking not just for a badly needed three points but also for a modicum of revenge. Waterford succumbed to Shamrock Rovers last week and after their stunning start the wheels have come off pretty quickly. They are a decent scoring side and if the wrong Sligo defence shows up then they could profit.
A first home loss to Galway in over 30 years will have been a tough result to take last week but Sligo will again feel this is the chance to get a much craved win. This actually feels like a match they can win tonight and you would expect them to take that attitude onto the field tonight. I do however think we will see a draw here
Prediction Waterford 1 Sligo Rovers 1
Galway United vs Derry City
While not quite as emphatic as Droghedas, the away win in Sligo last week will have been a sweet victory for Galway fans. They are nicely placed in that top five pack and a win here will really put them in the title mix
It’s weird to say it again but there is more pressure on Derry tonight despite their recent upsurge in fortunes. A 5 point gap has already opened up in front of them from Shelbourne in 5th so a victory tonight will be required to keep them cling to the title race coat-tails.
These sides played out a 1-1 draw earlier in the season and it could easily follow suit tonight. I do however feel Derry are beginning to find a bit more form and a vital three points might be on the cards for them tonight.
Prediction Galway United 0 Derry City 1
For the first division games
Treaty United 1 Dundalk 1
Athlone Town 1 Wexford 2
Bray Wanderers 0 Longford Town 0
Cobh Ramblers 1 UCD 0
Finn Harps 1 Kerry FC 1
So there you go! I hope you all have an eggcelent ( yes I did go there) Friday Night at whatever game you’re watching or attending in the #greatestleagueintheworld