Apologies to anybody who was waiting for my Friday Night LOI Predictions Preview that normally appears on a Friday evening, unfortunately something happened to me that I was not able to predict namely that I was waylaid with a stomach virus for the entire weekend. Thankfully I feel now that I am slowly on the mend and ready to preview tonights two cracking games in the League of Ireland.
The two games tonight of course involve our four teams representing the league in Europe this season to provide them with a little gap in the schedule later on in the season. Let’s see what’s on tonight!
Shelbourne vs Drogheda United
After the ban that launched a thousand memes on Saturday, Damian Duff is back in the dugout and our TV screens this week for a match that is very much bordering on must-win for Shelbourne tonight as defeat combined with a Shamrock Rovers win tonight would leave Shelbourne with a ten point deficit. The loss to Bohenians will have hurt a lot particularly allowing their North Dublin Rivals to build a five point lead on them now and tonight is a chance to put the pressure on them once again by narrowing the gap.
Drogheda on the other hand will still be smarting from the concession of their last minute equaliser to Derry. They are not quite in the dire straights that Shelbourne are by virtue of the fact that they are 3 points better off but a Shamrock Rovers win tonight would put pressure on Kevin Dohertys men as well come the end of play this evening.
I’ve back Shelbourne a few times to get a result back and they’ve failed to do so recently so this time I will back Drogheda to bag the points
Prediction: Shelbourne 1 Drogheda United 2
Shamrock Rovers vs St Patrick’s Athletic
Three wins in three and Shamrock Rovers finally seem to be hitting their groove. They are in a good run of form and will feel that victory tonight over Pats could really put a severe dent in the Inchicore teams title challenge.
Pats got out of jail Friday night with their Bohemians style rise from the ashes against Cork, Having lost already in Tallaght this season, Stephen Kenny won’t want to see another loss there tonight.
It’s hard not to back against a Rovers win and they will probably just about do it.
Prediction: Shamrock Rovers 1 St Patrick’s Athletic 0
There you have it! Normal service will be resumed both here and a full set of fixtures as well in the #greatestleagueintheworld