LOI Starting To Hot Up
The League of Ireland is starting to hot up as the season draws towards a climax. With the business end of the season drawing near there is still everything to play for as the title race, European slots and relegation spots are far from decided.
Derry City –v- Bohemian FC 7:45
Derry City take on a Bohemians side looking to rebound from a defeat last week at the hands of Drogheda United.
Having not played since the 1-0 defeat at the hands of Shamrock Rovers on July 27th Derry City are looking improve on their current seventh position as they battle it out in mid-table. Declan Devine and his side will be looking to get as close to last season’s third place finish as possible and a win here is a must.
Bohs provided tough opposition to Drogheda United but were still on the wrong side of a 1-0 scoreline. Manager Aaron Callaghan will be looking to see his side duplicate the positives of the performance in order for his side to have any hope of getting a European place this season.
Prediction: Draw
St Patrick’s Athletic –v- Bray Wanderers 7:45
A 1-0 away win against Cork City on Monday ensures St Patrick’s Athletic’s challenge for the league this season goes on. A win against third from bottom Bray Wanderers is a must.
A goal from Chris Fagan gave St Patrick’s Athletic a vital away win against the rebel army. Pats currently sit in fourth position, eight points of the top with two games in hand. At this stage in the season every win is crucial for Liam Buckley and his men. Early season mistakes cannot be made again.
Neither Bray nor Dundalk got the result they wanted in the 1-1 draw last week. But considering Bray got a 90th minute equaliser thanks to Danny Webster, they will have been the happier of the two sides. Bray will find it tough at Richmond Park, but when the pressure is on anything can happen.
Prediction: Home win
UCD –v- Cork City 7:45
A 2-1 away win against Shelbourne last week was the kind of boost UCD have been looking for but can they duplicate that result as they take on Cork City at UCD Bowl.
Goals from David McMillan and Paul Corry gave UCD a vital three points against Shelbourne last week. That win coupled with the draw between Dundalk and Bray Wanderers, means it’s all to play for at the bottom of the table, with five points separating the three sides.
Cork City were on the wrong end of a 1-0 score line against St Patrick’s Athletic last time out. Currently hovering over the relegation battle, a win here is vital for Cork, lose and they could pulled into a battle they would prefer to avoid.
Prediction: Draw
Drogheda United –v- Shamrock Rovers 8:00
The big game in this round of fixtures see’s second against third as Drogheda United take on Shamrock Rovers at Hunky Dory’s Park.
A Declan O’Brien penalty was enough to give Drogheda United all three points last week against Bohemian FC. Currently in second position two points off the top, Drogheda know it’s all to play for as far the league is concerned. They face a tough prospect against Shamrock Rovers and a win is vital.
Shamrock Rovers will be pleased with the 1-1 draw against league leaders Sligo Rovers last week, a Ronan Finn goal getting them a point on that occasion. Currently five points behind Drogheda, Stephen Kenny and his side know that they cannot accept anything less than three points.
Prediction: Home win
Shelbourne –v- Sligo Rovers 8:00
After an unlikely defeat at the hands of UCD, Shelbourne are faced with a much tougher task in trying to ge at positive result against league leaders Sligo Rovers.
A solitary goal from Phillip Hughes was not enough for Shelbourne as they succumbed to a 2-1 defeat against UCD. Currently in sixth position on 25 points, Shelbourne know that another defeat and their European aspirations are over for another season.
Sligo will be unhappy that they could not extend their lead at the top of the table after dropping two points against Shamrock Rovers last week at Tallaght Stadium. They currently have a two point lead over second place Drogheda United and know that they cannot afford to slip up again. Three points here is a necessity.
Prediction: Away win
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