LOI: Sligo In Dire Need Of Change In Fortune
Dundalk –v- Derry City 7:45
Derry City travel to Oriel Park to face league leaders Dundalk.
Goals from Daryl Horgan and John Mountney gave Dundalk a 2-0 away win against Longford Town last week. That result maintains the Louth side’s unbeaten streak and keeps them top of the table. They face a tricky tie here, but Stephen Kenny will feel they have enough to get all three points against his former charges.
A 2-0 home defeat against Galway United did Derry City no favour last week. They now face arguably their toughest match of the season. The Candystripes will need to be at their best if they are to avoid defeat. Lose and they may be drawn into a relegation battle they will wish to avoid.
Prediction: Home win
Galway United FC –v- Bohemians 7:45
Galway United host Bohemians at Deacy Park.
Goals from Padraic Cunningham and Jake Keegan gave Galway an impressive 2-0 away win against Derry City last week. Manager Tommy Dunne would want to see his side use that momentum and gain back to back wins. If Galway could gain all three points, it could see them rise as high as sixth in the league.
Goals from Derek Prendergast and veteran striker Jason Byrne gave Bohemians a 2-1 win over bottom side Limerick last week, a result that lifted them into fourth place. Bohemians are currently enjoying their best season in nearly a decade and will feel that if they keep up this form they will be real contenders for a European place next season.
Prediction: Draw
Shamrock Rovers –v- Longford Town 8:00
Shamrock Rovers face off against Longford Town at Tallaght Stadium.
A 0-0 draw with St Patrick’s Athletic on Monday denied Shamrock Rovers the opportunity to move up to second place. Currently third with 24 points, eight behind Dundalk, Rovers cannot afford to drop any points if they wish to have serious title ambitions this season. A win here would be the perfect start.
The 2-0 defeat at the hands of Dundalk last week would have been an unsurprising result for Longford Town. Despite that defeat, Longford still sit in sixth position. They could cement that position further with a win here. That result will not be an easy task, but with home field advantage it is well within Longford’s capabilities.
Prediction: Home win
Bray Wanderers –v- St Patrick’s Athletic 5:45
Bray Wanderers host St Patrick’s Athletic at the Carlisle Grounds.
Bray Wanderers suffered their ninth defeat this season when they lost 4-2 to Drogheda United last time out. Trevor Croly has now stepped in to take the reins in what the Wicklow side will hope will be an upturn in fortunes. They face a difficult proposition here against a side with title ambitions but will feel they may just have enough to cause an upset.
The 0-0 draw with Shamrock Rovers on Monday was a result that did St Patrick’s Athletic no favours. They are now in fifth position, ten points behind Dundalk. Liam Buckley and his team need a real run of wins if they are to have any chance of getting back into the title race. A win here against an out of form side would be the perfect start.
Prediction: Away win
Limerick –v- Cork City 6:30
Title hopefuls Cork City face Limerick in an all Munster clash on treaty soil.
The 2-1 defeat to Bohemians last week still leaves Limerick in search of their first win of the season. Currently sitting bottom of the table, Limerick need a win and quickly. It would seem unlikely that that win should occur here but Limerick will need to believe it is only a matter of time.
A goal from Karl Sheppard and a hat-trick from Billy Dennehy gave Cork City a 4-1 win over Drogheda United on Monday. It leaves them four points behind Dundalk albeit with an extra game played. Manager John Caulfield will still feel his side have what it takes to push Dundalk all the way and win their first league title since 2005.
Prediction: Away win
Sligo Rovers –v- Drogheda United 7:45
Sligo Rovers face off against Drogheda United at the Showground’s.
After their 3-2 defeat to Cork City last week, Sligo Rovers find themselves sitting just above the relegation zone in eighth place. Owen Heary will feel this game against an equally out of form team is the perfect opportunity to move themselves up the table. Lose and the gap between the relegation zone and the rest of the league becomes much larger.
The momentum from Drogheda United’s 4-2 win against Bray last week was tarnished after their 4-1 defeat against Cork City on Monday. Despite Monday’s defeat Drogheda will feel that they have turned a corner and will enter this game full of optimism and expectancy.
Prediction: Draw
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