It’s taken a while but are we finally beginning to see a semblance of a picture forming in the LOI Premier Division title race? From the peloton of teams that we had at the start of the month Shamrock Rovers appear to have taken on the role of frontrunner albeit with an extra game played over some of their title rivals. Can they last the pace this season? Tonight will help provide us with a further answer on that front.
Illness curtailed last Friday nights column but we’re back this week. We did make some predictions for the games Monday Night and while we did predict a Shamrock Rovers win correctly, we also predicted a Drogheda win which failed to happen. So let’s have a look at tonights games!
St Patrick’s Athletic Vs Waterford FC
Monday was a chastening night for Stephen Kennys side and the fact that makes it makes it three games without a win against their South Dublin rivals will make it all the more difficult to stomach for the Inchicore side. Three points from twelve means that matches like tonight have that little bit more pressure on them if they want to have any chance in the title race. The fact its a live game on the TV tonight adds an extra bit of pressure
Waterford good run of form came to an abrupt halt at home to Rovers last week, but as a team displaying the exact opposite type of form to Pats recently, they should have no fears heading to Dublin tonight. John Coleman will have then ready for tonight and theyve shown an ability already this season to travel and pull off a shock.
Im going to go with the formbook here. Waterford to win and possibly put the final nail in Pats title coffin?
Prediction St Patricks Athletic 1 Waterford 3
Shelbourne vs Sligo Rovers
Another team that may well be coming close to the title race last chance saloon is Shelbourne. Its quite clear to see they are struggling at the moment and failure to win against the side at the bottom of the table might just be the death knell for their title hopes.
Sligo on the other hand come into the game off the back of a victory against Galway last week so they will have gained a bit of confidence from that. They trail Cork by one goal in terms of goal difference so solidoty might be important. They have goals in them and while the defence has been leaky, a clean sheet last Friday will have done them the world of good.
I think this will be a cagey tight affair. Shelbourne desperately need the win to kick on and I think they will eke out the three points.
Prediction Shelbourne 1 Sligo 0
Galway United vs Cork City
Neither side come into this one in the best of form. Galway will be kicking themselves at the result last week against Sligo and are another side badly in need of three points to halt their slide after a bad run of form.
There is a new man in the hotseat in Cork and having listened to The Rebel Army podcast during the week, the concensus after their Richmond Park excursion last week was he would have witnessed from the stands last week both the best and the worst of their season so far. Ger Nash will see his new side have the opportunity tonight to close the gap up to Galway to 5 points, an opportunity they will be hopeful of taking advantage of.
This is a difficult one to call. This one might play out into a stalemate.
Prediction Galway United 1 Cork City 1
Drogheda United vs Bohemians
This is one of the two big matches of the night. Bohemians continued their fine run of form against Shelbourne last week and a win here would firmly rubber stamp their title challenging credentials. We know they like to score late so Drogheda will know full focus is required for the full 90+ minutes if they want something from this game.
Drogheda will have been disappointed not to have taken more from their game Monday night but will probably feel they are in a solid enough position right now and a win tonight would really insert them as Shamrock Rovers biggest challengers
Drogheda have had a good record against the Dublin teams this season and I think they might keep that record tonight. Home win
Prediction Drogheda United 2 Bohemians 1
Derry City vs Shamrock Rovers
On to the final game of the night and its a big one. This game is the definition of the six pointer as a victory for Shamrock Rovers tonight could leave Shamrock Rovers with a ten point gap tonight with the pressure all on Derry and Bohemians games in hand. A loss and with the games in hand their lead could be down to one.
Derrys late salvage of a point last week will have felt like a victory in many ways and they have been on a decent run of form. Victory here will set them up nicely for the rest of the season.
Shamrock Rovers really highlighted their title credentials last week and they look to have kicked into another gear. The question is now can anybody stop them? Derry might just have some answers tonight but not all.
Prediction : Derry City 2 Shamrock Rovers 2
First Division:
Bray Wanderers 3 Wexford FC 0
Treaty United 1 Longford Town 1
Finn Harps 1 UCD 0
Dundalk 2 Kerry FC 0
Athlone Town 1 Cobh Ramblers 4
There you have it. One more match day after this one before the mid-season break so enjoy it while you can as we get another installment in the #greatestleagueintheworld