Derry vs. Drogheda (Friday, 7.45pm)
© Imago
Derry City will be bidding to make it four League of Ireland Premier Division wins in a row when they welcome struggling Drogheda United to the Ryan McBride Brandywell Stadium on Friday night.
The home side are currently second in the league table, two points behind the leaders Shelbourne, while Drogheda are rock bottom, picking up just 16 points during a tough season to date.
We say: Derry City 2-0 Drogheda United
Drogheda have held Derry to draws in two of the last three league meetings between the two sides, but we are struggling to look past the hosts here. Drogheda have struggled on their travels this term, while Derry have the division's best home record, and we are expecting a routine two-goal success for the Red and Whites.
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Dundalk vs. Waterford (Friday, 7.45pm)
© Reuters
Aiming to give their survival ambitions another significant boost, relegation-threatened Dundalk will welcome surprise package Waterford United to Oriel Park for a League of Ireland clash on Friday night.
The Lilywhites managed to secure a narrow 1-0 success over Sligo Rovers last time out, whilst the Blues were unable to earn any points from their meeting with current pacesetters Shelbourne.
We say: Dundalk 1-2 Waterford United
Despite their lowly standing in the table, Dundalk are a tough nut to crack at Oriel Park and will provide Waterford with a difficult test on Friday night.
However, with leading marksman Gullan unlikely to be available for the Lilywhites, we envisage a defeat for the hosts as they face the division's leading marksman in Amond.
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Shelbourne vs. Galway United (Friday, 7.45pm)
![Tynecastle Park, Edinburgh, Scotland; Scottish Premiership Football, Heart of Midlothian versus Celtic; Celtic coach Damian Duff arrives for the match - 18th December 2019 [IMAGO]](https://sm.imgix.net/24/26/damian-duff.jpg?w=640&h=480&auto=compress,format&fit=clip "Tynecastle Park, Edinburgh, Scotland; Scottish Premiership Football, Heart of Midlothian versus Celtic; Celtic coach Damian Duff arrives for the match - 18th December 2019 [IMAGO]")
© Imago
Shelbourne are set to host Galway United at Tolka Park in the League of Ireland on Friday in a game that the hosts will hope to win in order to maintain their lead at the top of the table.
The home side currently have 43 points and are two clear of second-placed Derry City, while the visitors are 13 points behind in fifth place, although they do have two games in hand.
We say: Shelbourne 1-0 Galway United
Considering that both Shelbourne and Galway have been excellent defensively this season, it is fair to expect that Friday's clash could be low scoring.
However, given the hosts' title ambitions and their strong 2024 campaign so far, they should come into the game as favourites.
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Sligo vs. Shamrock (Friday, 7.45pm)
![Shamrock Rovers manager Stephen Bradley on October 27, 2022 [Imago]](https://sm.imgix.net/24/26/stephen-bradley.jpg?w=640&h=480&auto=compress,format&fit=clip "Shamrock Rovers manager Stephen Bradley on October 27, 2022 [Imago]")
© Imago
Aiming to narrow their 10-point gap to the top two in the League of Ireland Premier Division table, Shamrock Rovers will travel to take on Sligo Rovers on Friday.
The visitors lost further ground in a defeat to St Patrick's Athletic last time out, while their hosts have dropped to seventh spot following back-to-back losses.
We say: Sligo Rovers 1-2 Shamrock Rovers
Although Shamrock Rovers have failed to show their quality consistently in this season's title defence, they do still boast plenty of threat and will back themselves to bounce back to winning ways against a Sligo Rovers team lacking confidence following consecutive defeats.
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St Patrick's vs. Bohemians (Friday, 7.45pm)
© Reuters
Two teams looking to avoid being dragged towards the relegation zone meet on Friday when St Patrick's Athletic host Bohemians at Richmond Park in the League of Ireland Premier.
The home side sit eight points above the drop zone but have played at least twice more than those below them, while the visitors hold a five-point lead over the bottom two with games in hand on those around them.
We say: St Patrick's Athletic 2-1 Bohemians
While St Patrick's have been far from impressive this year, a recent upturn in form has seen them lose just one of their last six across all competitions. In comparison, Bohemians have won just one of their last eight and with back-to-back 2-1 losses in their most recent outings, we expect this one to also end 2-1 to the hosts.
