We have a new league leader after Friday nights fixtures but what odds on another new leader by the end of today. Another enthralling evening of Monday night football is in store as we see a new manager on the scene and an enthralling title race continue on a beautiful Bank Holiday Monday.
So how did Friday night go in terms of predictions? Not a great one to be honest with you- just the one correct score that being Sligo vs Waterford! It’s a new day today though do let’s see what’s in store for us!
Shelbourne vs Waterford (5pm)
This feels like a big game for Shelbourne tonight. They will have been bitterly disappointed with the loss in Derry on Friday night and will be keen to make it up to their fans today. This game looks a lot more difficult with Waterfords revival in form. It feels like we should be expecting some sort of a response from Shels today.
Theres a new sheriff in town in Waterford- John Coleman a very experienced manager who also had a brief stint in Sligo 11 years ago. It looks a shrewd appointment by Waterford and they look to be progressing back in the right direction. Having won already on Dublins Northside this weekend, they will want to make it a double this evening to put themselves back in the mix of a very open league.
Managers normally get an element of beginners luck when they join a new team but not many of them have a game against reigning champions under a bit of pressure. Shels beat them 1-0 down in the RSC in February and I will back Shels again here to take the much needed win
Prediction Shelbourne 3 Waterford 1
Drogheda United vs Cork City ( 5pm kick-off)
Drogheda will be looking to bounce back after losing their grip on top spot Friday night. Having travelled to Sligo on Friday night they will be hoping that their home support will help carry them to victory. They drew in Cork 1-1 earlier on in the season and will be looking improve on that. Having thrown away a two goal lead on Friday night as well they will be keen to make amends for that.
Tim Clancy will have been delighted at his sides character at coming from behind to gain a draw with Shamrock Rovers. Corks home form is key for them this season but they are more than capable of grabbing away results here and there. Of course there is also the factor here of Tim Clancy returning to one of his former clubs to add an extra twist to things.
I’m inclining towards a narrow win for Drogheda to keep their title aspirations going but I’ve a feeling they will have a tough time of it getting there despite Cork Citys injury problems.
Prediction Drogheda United 2 Cork City 1
Galway United vs Bohemians (5pm Kick-off)
Both sides here will have been disappointed by their performances Friday night. Bohs probably more so as having put in a lot of hard work to haul themselves into title contention, they put themselves at a disadvantage again. Galway at the otherhand will have been a bit disappointed at the performance but are still in the thick of it and will be looking to maintain that tonight
Bohs as mentioned earlier will have been bitterly disappointed by their loss Friday. The first goal in particular looked a frustrating one. It was a fantastic hit but should Olayinka have been closed down more? One thing is for sure at the moment the opposition goal of the season at Dalymount Park is looking as strong a field as the Premier League goal of the season award. Moses Dyer making a strong claim for the award in the opening fixture between the teams back in March
So what will happen here? Both sides especially Bohs need something from this one. I’m inclined to say draw here to keep both sides happy.
Prediction Galway United 1 Bohemians 1
Shamrock Rovers vs Sligo Rovers (7pm Kick-off)
The hoops will have been bitterly disappointed to concede the late equaliser down in Cork on Friday night from a game they were in control of for at least the first hour. Much like Shelbourne there will be a bit of pressure on tonight to secure a home win to keep themselves in the hunt. An expectant home crowd will be looking for a comfortable victory.
Sligo will have been happy to secure a point against the league leaders but Corks late heroics will have been a disappointment to them at the same time as they would have been hoping to narrow the gap on the Leesiders. They will know tonight is going to be a difficult game to get through. They also did beat the Hoops earlier on in the season so will be expecting a bit of extra bite from the Tallaght side as they look to set the record straight.
It’s hard to look past Stephen Bradley’s side for this one. Home win
Prediction Shamrock Rovers 3 Sligo Rovers 0
Derry City vs St Patrick’s Athletic (7.45 pm kick-off)
Our televised match of the night is a cracker from the Ryan McBride Stadium as Derry look to continue their decent run of form against the current league leaders. I wrote off Derry again ahead of their match Friday night and they played well and capitalised on some errors from the Shels Defense. A victory tonight and positive results for them elsewhere could see them top of the league by the end of the night which about a month ago would have seemed unfathomable.
Pats played well Friday night and will be looking to get something tonight from a tricky away fixture. With a game against Shels coming up on Friday, it will be difficult to see Pats building on their lead too much over the next week but stranger things have happened. They were comfortable in the end Friday night bearing in mind they played the last twenty two minutes or so with ten men. If they managed to keep something in the tank, it can only be of benefit for this week’s games
That being said something tells me we might see Derry complete their Lazarus like march up the table tonight and finish the night in top spot. Home win with the same scoreline Pats won the corresponding fixture with earlier in the season.
Prediction Derry City 2 St Patrick’s Athletic 0
So there you have it. No First Division games today but for the day that’s in it. Enjoy the rising temperatures outside and in that title race melting pot as we get ready for more twists and turns in the #greatestleagueintheworld.