Shamrock Rovers will take on Drogheda United on Saturday, as they will be looking to strengthen their position at the top of the League of Ireland Premier Division.
Following three straight wins, the Dublin outfit have moved eight oints clear at the top, while the visitors find themselves one spot above the relegation playoff spot.
After winning their second straight League of Ireland Premier Division title last season, Shemrock Rovers have continued their impressive domestic form this term, establishing themselves at the top of the Irish top flight.
Having picked up 39 points from 17 matches, Rovers had a comfortable lead, but two defeats in three matches against Drogheda United and Dundalk quickly saw the latter reduce the gap while keeping two games in hand.
However, they have managed to bounce back from that slight slump impressively, firstly claiming a 1-0 victory over Bohemians, before making it three in a row with narrow wins over St Patrick’s Athletic and Finn Harps.
The Hoops then carried that positive form into their Champions League first-qualifying-round tie with Hibernians, as a 3-0 win victory was enough to secure an aggregate victory, only for them to lose 3-0 in the first leg of their second-round contest against Ludogorets Razgrad last time out.
Meanwhile, Drogheda United head into the contest aiming to pull off another upset, having struggled for most parts of the top-flight campaign so far.
They had to endure a tough start and quickly found themselves fighting at the wrong end of the league standings, but two key spells have kept them out of the drop zone, as they firstly registered a six-game unbeaten run including two wins between mid-March and mid-April.
Drogheda will now be looking for positive results to ensure they are not dragged into the relegation battle should Finn Harps produce an upturn in form.
Shamrock Rovers vs Drogheda United head to head
The two teams have previously met on 72 occasions across all competitions, where Rovers have claimed 46 victories while Drogheda have won 13, and they have drawn in 13. Drogheda have scored 54 goals and conceded 134. In their last five meetings, Drogheda have won one, Rovers three with one draw.
Shamrock Rovers 1-1 Drogheda United 25/06/21
Drogheda United 0-1 Shamrock Rovers 15/08/21
Shamrock Rovers 2-1 Drogheda United 19/11/21
Shamrock Rovers 3-1 Drogheda United 28/02/22
Drogheda United 1-0 Shamrock Rovers 23/05/22
Shamrock Rovers latest home form
Shamrock Rovers have recently been on a good run of form at home, and have been unbeaten in their five most recent matches. They defeated Hibernians 3-0 in their last home game in the Champions League. In their last five matches, they have scored seven goals and kept clean sheets.
Shamrock Rovers 1-0 Derry City 13/05/22
Shamrock Rovers 2-0 Shelbourne 27/05/22
Shamrock Rovers 0-0 Galway United 10/06/22
Shamrock Rovers 1-0 Bohemians 24/06/22
Shamrock Rovers 3-0 Hibernians 05/07/22
Shamrock Rovers latest away form
Shamrock Rovers lost their last away game 3-0 to Ludogorets Razgrad in the Champions League. However, they have recently been on a good run of form on the road, having been unbeaten in their previous four matches. In their last five matches, they have scored four goals and conceded four.
Cliftonville 0-1 Shamrock Rovers 18/06/22
St Patrick’s Athletic 1-2 Shamrock Rovers 27/06/22
Finn Harps 0-1 Shamrock Rovers 01/07/22
Hibernians 0-0 Shamrock Rovers 12/07/22
Drogheda United latest home form
Drogheda United lost 1-0 to Bohemians in their last home game in the league. However, they have recently been on a good run of form at home, as they have been unbeaten in their previous four matches. In their last five matches, they have scored five goals and conceded two.
Drogheda United 3-1 Finn Harps 20/05/22
Drogheda United 1-0 Shamrock Rovers 23/05/22
Drogheda United 0-0 Sligo Rovers 24/06/22
Drogheda United 1-0 Dundalk 08/07/22
Drogheda United 0-1 Bohemians 15/07/22
Drogheda United latest away form
Drogheda United have recently failed to keep a good run of form on the road, having been winless in their six most recent matches. They lost 3-0 to St Patrick’s Athletic in their last away game in the league. In their last five matches, they have scored three goals and conceded 10.
Dundalk 4-1 Drogheda United 29/04/22
Shelbourne 1-0 Drogheda United 13/05/22
Bohemians 1-1 Drogheda United 27/05/22
Derry City 1-1 Drogheda United 17/06/22
St Patrick’s Athletic 3-0 Drogheda United 01/07/22
Shamrock Rovers news
Shamrock Rovers should again call upon top scorer Graham Burke, who came off the bench against Ludogorets after missing their last league game.
Key midfielder Richie Towell should again have a spot in the starting XI after settling for a substitute appearance in their last league win over Finn Harps.
Drogheda United news
Young forward Dean Williams should again lead the attack for Drogheda United, having scored six Premier Division goals so far this season.
Captain Gary Deegan has played in every minute of top-flight action this season, except against Derry City for which he was suspended, and should again partner Darragh Nugent in the midfield.
Prediction and Odds
Drogheda United have recently struggled for results in the league action, winning just one of their last six matches, and that trend is likely to continue here.
Shamrock Rovers appear to storm towards another league title, and given the superior quality they have throughout their squad, they are unlikely to be derailed on Saturday.
Odds: 1 1.88 X 2.10 2 2.34
Probable outcomes
Shamrock Rovers 1-0 Drogheda United
Shamrock Rovers 2-0 Drogheda United
Shamrock Rovers 2-1 Drogheda United
Shamrock Rovers 3-0 Drogheda United
Shamrock Rovers 3-1 Drogheda United
