Ireland: Premiership & Division May 11-14 - Betting Forum

bulit · #1 (**permalink**) 10-05-2007, 22:00

Friday 11 May 2007
Eircom Premier League

(19:45)Bohemian v Longford Town 1.61 3.40 6.50
(19:45)UCD v St Patrick's 3.00 3.10 2.28
(19:45)Waterford v Galway United 2.52 3.00 2.80

Saturday 12 May 2007

(19:45)Sligo Rovers v Cork City 3.40 3.10 2.12

Monday 14 May 2007

(20:00)Derry City v Shamrock Rovers 1.80 3.20 4.33

Eircom Division 1

Friday 11 May 2007
(19:30)Kilkenny City v Athlone Town 2.72 3.20 2.32
(19:30)Wexford Youths v Monaghan Utd 2.10 3.20 3.15
(19:45)Limerick 37 v Cobh Ramblers 2.42 3.20 2.66
(19:45)Limerick v Cobh Ramblers 2.30 3.00 2.90
(20:00)Finn Harps v Dundalk 2.66 3.20 2.42

Saturday 12 May 2007
(19:30)Kildare County v Shelbourne 2.28 3.10 2.92

Diomed · #2 (**permalink**) 11-05-2007, 09:35

Tonights Irish previews Premier Div

Preview: Bohemians v Longford Town

Bohemians and Longford Town will both be looking to improve their fortunes in front of goal as they meet in the Premier Division of the League of Ireland on Friday night at Dalymount Park. Longford's tally of six goals from nine games is one better than Bohs despite the Dublin club gaining eight more league points.

Bohs go into the game fifth although they could climb as high as third if they win. The Gypsies are unbeaten in nine games and advanced to the last eight of the League Cup with a straightforward if lifeless win over Shelbourne in midweek. Bohs goalscoring record is still their biggest concern despite their defence becoming rock solid. Bohs have failed to score now in five of their nine league games this year - six league clean-sheets has helped them to the best defensive record in the top flight.

Longford are still struggling second from bottom just one point ahead of Waterford. Conceding twelve goals from nine games is also amongst the worst defensive records in the top flight - again only just better than Waterford.

Harpal Singh, Dean Pooley and Fergal Harkin remain on Bohs injury list with Mark Rossiter also likely to miss out. Dessie Byrne though could return after injury.

Having exited at the First Round stage, Longford were one of the few Premier Division clubs without the distraction of a League Cup game this week although with the current weakness of their squad they can't afford to be playing too many games.

League form for Bohemians : DDDDW
League form for Longford Town : DDWDL

Previous meeting(s) : Longford Town 3-0 Bohemians (04/11/2006)
Bohemians 0-1 Longford Town (04/08/2006)
Longford Town 3-1 Bohemians (06/05/2006)
Bohemians 1-0 Longford Town (04/11/2005)
Longford Town 1-0 Bohemians (06/08/2005)
IrishFootballOnline.com Prediction: Home win.

Preview: UCD v St. Patrick's Athletic

UCD host Saint Patrick's Athletic at Belfield Park on Friday night as they clubs meet for a second time this week. UCD won Monday's low key League Cup game at the Saints home in Inchicore. Both sides are likely to see changes ahead of Friday night's Premier Division game.

UCD won that Monday afternoon game 1-0 with an early penalty although sides had made a number of changes to their usual line-ups.

UCD are unbeaten in seven games, five in the league. Since losing to a late goal in Sligo on April Fool's Day, UCD have kept four clean-sheets including a win away to Derry in that five game unbeaten league run. UCD are currently sixth and could rise to fourth if results go their way over the weekend.

The Saints have hit a sticky patch of form recently although having gone thirteen games unbeaten at the start of the year, three defeats in four games is not the end of the world. They did lose their unbeaten league record last time out - losing to another penalty in Cork and they have had penalties awarded against them in five of their last six games. Despite that loss at Turner's Cross, Pats retained their leadership of the League of Ireland after Drogheda slipped up on Friday night. Now with the Drogs not playing again in the league until a visit to Inchicore on 21st May, the Saints will be looking to extend their lead at the top to four points.

The Saints will be back to near full strength with Darragh Maguire set to slot in for the suspended Stephen Paisley in defence. Michael Foley again looks set to miss out injured.

Paul Byrne, Brian King and Pat McWalter could all remain out injured for the Students.

League form for UCD : DDWWW
League form for St. Patricks Athletic : LWWDW

Previous meeting(s) : St. Patricks Athletic 0-1 UCD (07/05/2007)
UCD 0-0 St. Patricks Athletic (08/09/2006)
St. Patricks Athletic 0-0 UCD (23/06/2006)
UCD 0-1 St. Patricks Athletic (17/03/2006)
St. Patricks Athletic 0-0 UCD (14/10/2005)
IrishFootballOnline.com Prediction: Away win.

Preview: Waterford United v Galway United

Waterford United host Galway United at the RSC on Friday night with both sides looking to build on recent revivals. Waterford halted a six game losing streak in the league with two draws in their last two games while Galway have picked up six of their seven total points in their last four games.

Waterford lost out to Cobh in the League Cup during the week but will still be looking to build on Friday's impressive draw with Drogheda United. A last minute equaliser earned the Blues their second successive point after a draw in Sligo the previous week.

Galway may have slipped to a League Cup defeat at the hands of Derry in the Brandywell during the week but their form has improved hugely in recent weeks. They drew with the Candystripes at Terryland Park last weekend and have also drawn away games with Cork City and Bohemians this year.

Dean Delaney, Pat Flynn, Shane Harte, David Breen and Vinny Sullivan were all rested from Waterford's starting line-up for the Cobh game with just Sullivan featuring as a substitute. They all return for Friday's game with Stephen Cooling being their only problem. The midfielder is again struggling with an ankle injury and is expected to miss out.

Waterford boss Gareth Cronin is keen to put Tuesday night's loss behind them but expects a tough challenge from Galway, "It was very disappointing to lose on Tuesday night but we have to put that behind us and get back to focussing on the league. We have continued to show improvement in our games and last Friday's result against Drogheda was well deserved. We just have to keep building on these results but I have no doubt it won't be easy against Galway. It is a vital game so we have to put the Cobh result out of our minds."

Galway manager Tony Cousins is worried what impact this week's travelling may have on his squad, "We travelled up to Derry early last Tuesday and booked into a hotel so the players could get some rest in the afternoon. We will take the same approach on Friday. We will leave early, get some lunch and rest in the afternoon.

"Training was not as intense this week and the players spent time in the pool before the training on the pitch. We are really looking forward to our next game and we are looking to build upon our recent performances", added Cousins

Galway again play without Alan Keane and Chris Armstrong. Alan Murphy continues to struggle with a calf strain while Stephen O'Flynn is struggling with a groin strain and may face a late fitness test.

Friday's meeting marks the first competitive game between the sides in almost five years. The last meeting saw Waterford win 1-0 in December 2002 - with Vinny Sullivan scoring the only goal. The game at Terryland Park that year ended 0-0.

League form for Waterford United : DDLLL
League form for Galway United : DWDDL

IrishFootballOnline.com Prediction: Draw.

Diomed · #3 (**permalink**) 11-05-2007, 09:43

Tonights Irish previews 1st Div

Preview: Limerick 37 v Cobh Ramblers

Limerick 37 and Cobh Ramblers meet for the third time in 2007 when the sides meet at Jackman Park for the first time this year on Friday night. Third placed Limerick are just three points behind second placed Cobh and a win for "37" could see them climb second.

Cobh got past Premier Division Waterford in the second round of the League Cup in midweek having beaten Limerick in the First round. Cobh are unbeaten in nine games since they lost their first two this year - to Wexford and Limerick. They also boast the best defensive record in the division having conceded just four goals in nine games and kept six clean sheets.

Although Limerick have drawn more games than they would have liked, they have still only been beaten once in the league - by leaders Dundalk. They have conceded just one goal more than Cobh although their goal-scoring record is in the bottom half of the table.

Limerick goalkeeper Jimmy Fyffe is an injury doubt for the game.

League form for Limerick 37 : WDLWD
League form for Cobh Ramblers : WWWDW

Previous meeting(s) : Cobh Ramblers 3-0 Limerick 37 (03/04/2007)
Cobh Ramblers 0-2 Limerick 37 (09/03/2007)
IrishFootballOnline.com Prediction: Draw.

Preview: Kilkenny City v Athlone Town

Kilkenny City host Athlone Town at Buckley Park in the First Division of the League of Ireland on Friday night. Both sides have picked up just four points from their last five matches but Athlone still hold a three point lead on Kilkenny with four places also between the sides in the league table.

It is the second meeting between the sides this week after Athlone won a penalty shoot out between the sides on Tuesday night in Athlone. The Midlanders won out 3-0 when the two clubs met on the opening weekend of the season.

Darragh Hayes is suspended for Kilkenny after being sent off in the midweek game with Athlone in the League Cup. He joins the still suspended Andrzej Polenwcak on the sidelines.

League form for Kilkenny City : LDWLL
League form for Athlone Town : LDWLL

Previous meeting(s) : Athlone Town 1-1 (4-3 pens) Kilkenny City (08/05/2007)
Athlone Town 3-0 Kilkenny City (10/03/2007)
Kilkenny City 2-2 Athlone Town (04/11/2006)
Athlone Town 3-0 Kilkenny City (08/09/2006)
Kilkenny City 0-2 Athlone Town (08/07/2006)
IrishFootballOnline.com Prediction: Away win.

Preview: Wexford Youths v Monaghan United

Wexford Youths host Monaghan United at the Wexford Youths Football Complex on Friday night. Wexford could jump ahead of the chasing pack to fourth with a win although Monaghan could get off the bottom with their first win of the year.

Although they lost heavily to Dundalk recently, Wexford have still been performing respectably. Sixth place after a full series of games is not a bad showing for a club even their chief Mick Wallace expected to struggle.

Monaghan are the only one of the eircom League's twenty two clubs yet to win a game and three losses on the trot has seen them slip to the foot of the whole league. Their goalscoring record is the poorest in the division with just six goals to show for nine games.

Thomas Hawkins, Martin Kelly, Stuart Lawlor and David Miller could all miss out injured for the home side.

Monaghan's Darren Meenan is suspended again while Thomas Heffernan serves a ban after his sending off in last week's game. Mickey Kerr, Brian McDonald, Aaron Mooney, Stephen Finnegan and Brian McDonald all look set to miss out injured but Steve Feeney could return.

League form for Wexford Youths : DLLWD
League form for Monaghan United : LLLDD

Previous meeting(s) : Monaghan United 2-2 Wexford Youths (09/03/2007)
IrishFootballOnline.com Prediction: Home win.

Preview: Finn Harps v Dundalk

Finn Harps are looking to build on a good week as they host leaders Dundalk in the First Division of the eircom League of Ireland on Friday night. Dundalk are two points clear at the top but could move as high as fourth if they win again.

Harps took Kilkenny apart last Friday, eventually winning 5-0 and added a dramatic League Cup win over Sligo Rovers to that on Monday night. Having lost four league games to date, they know they can't afford to slip up a whole lot more to have a realistic shot at promotion.

Dundalk have drawn three of their last five league games but remain top and the only unbeaten side in the second tier of Irish football - Louth neighbours Drogheda United are the only other unbeaten club in the league at this stage of the season.

Michael Funston again looks set to miss out for Harps injured but otherwise they should be at full strength.

Anthony Flood has apparently left Dundalk under a cloud which may limit the Lillywhites' striking options. Full-back Dave Crawley returns though after suspension

The game marks the beginning of the second series of games in the First Division, Dundalk won 3-2 when the sides met in the opening game of the season in March. An injury time winner at Oriel Park gave Dundalk a winning start to the season.

League form for Finn Harps : WDLLD
League form for Dundalk : DWWDD

Previous meeting(s) : Dundalk 3-2 Finn Harps (08/03/2007)
Finn Harps 0-1 Dundalk (19/11/2006)
Dundalk 1-1 Finn Harps (15/09/2006)
Finn Harps 1-2 Dundalk (15/07/2006)
Dundalk 1-3 Finn Harps (04/05/2006)
IrishFootballOnline.com Prediction: Draw.

Chief77 · #4 (**permalink**) 11-05-2007, 11:13

Horrible coupon this week and theres only two matches that interest me in any way.

Bohs V Longford:HT-FT @6/4: Bohs have been disappointing this season and they've struggled badly in front of goal. Longford are unbeaten in 4 but on closer inspection the form isn't that great. They've only won 1 of those 4(against lowly Waterford) and they drew the other 3 against Bray Galway and UCD all of whom will most probably finish in the bottom half.

When they've come up against the better sides in the division they've lost. This is a great chance for Bohs to get their season back on track and I fully expect them to take advantage. Dessie Byrne will probably be back for the game tonight and he will be a welcome addition to the team.

Kildare V Shelbourne Fc @5/4: Crazy price for Kildare here and without doubt the bet of the week in the Irish Coupon. I honestly don't know where they've got this price from. Shels have won just once all season and while they've ut in some commendable displays and battled hard they've always been on the back foot against opposing teams.

Kildare have a decent home record and only Cobh have beaten them at statin Road in the last 8 matches. That includes draws against table toppers Dundalk and Premier side UCD. After a poor start Kildare have been playing well recently and they've only lost once in 6 games. 5/4 is a steal for me.

Verdict:
Bohs HT-FT @6/4 Confidence 7/10
Kildare @5/4 Confidence 9/10

korgen · #5 (**permalink**) 11-05-2007, 13:37

Wexford Youths vs Monaghan United @2.10
Three consecutive losses and no win in division so far, that's why Monaghan is at the bottom of the divison table. And i doubt that something will change soon, especially in this game as they will miss seven regulars today. Midfielder Darren Meenan and Thomas Heffernan are suspended, defenders Mickey Kerr and Aaron Mooney, Brian McDonald, midfielder Stephen Finnegan and Brian McDonald are all injured, while defender Steve Feeney is doubtful. Youths will also miss some players due to injuries, Stuart Lawlor, midfielders Marty Kelly, David Miller and Thomas Hawkins. Still they showed that they are decent division team, as currently they are at 6th position. Their only loss at home was against Kilkenny 0:1. At Wexford Football Complex they managed to beat Cobh 1:0 and to draw against Limerick 37, Kildare and Shelbourne. I expect from hosts to continue their decent run in the division, as it will be pretty tough for guests with all those missings and without any signs of improving.

prinze · #6 (**permalink**) 12-05-2007, 00:25

IRED2	18:30	Kilkenny	2 - 3	Athlone *	0-3	0/0.5	W
IRED2	18:45	Limerick	0 - 0	Cobh Ramblers *	0-0	0/0.5	L1/2
IRED2	19:00	Finn Harps	0 - 0	Dundalk *	0-0	0/0.5	L1/2
IRED2	19:00	* Wexford Youths	2 - 3	Monaghan	1-2	0.5	L

IREPL	18:45	* Bohemians	5 - 0	Longford Town	2-0	0.5/1	W
IREPL	18:45	Waterford United	1 - 0	Galway United *	0-0	0	L
IREPL	18:45	UC Dublin(UCD)	2 - 2	St. Patrick's *	0-1	0.5	L

Well done Chief as usual

Diomed · #7 (**permalink**) 12-05-2007, 08:22

yes...great call on Bohs

Diomed · #8 (**permalink**) 12-05-2007, 08:22

Tonights Irish Premier preview

Preview: Sligo Rovers v Cork City

Cork City will look to build on their win over St. Patrick's Athletic as they visit struggling Sligo Rovers at the Showgrounds on Saturday evening. Cork would move back ahead of Bohs to third with a win but Sligo are down in eighth place.

Rovers have picked up just one point from their last five games but Cork are now unbeaten in eight league games and haven't lost since their opening night shock in Waterford.

Sligo exited the League Cup at the hands of Finn Harps during the week as manager Paul Cook gets off to a difficult start.

Piotr Bajdziak is ruled out injured for Sligo and could miss a large portion if not all of the season with a cruciate knee ligament problem. Brian Cash, Gary Curran and Jason McCartney are all out injured for the Bit O' Red. Seamus Coleman and Conor O'Grady are both doubts but Raf Cretaro returns.

Cork used a team made up almost totally of reserve players as they edged past the Kerry League in midweek League Cup action.

Cork boss Damien Richardson complimented Sligo ahead of the game, "I admire the passion and ambition that is such an integral part of Sligo Rovers Football Club. They have traditionally been at the forefront of full-time professional football in this league, and we will get a severe test of our title credentials as every team does when they travel to Sligo."

"The team are playing very well, but it is imperative from our point of view that we carry on the good performances of recent weeks. Anything less than a quality performance will not be acceptable. Our victory over St. Pats has put a more realistic face on the league table, so there is still everything to play for, and every team has to be granted full respect until the end of the season", added the Cork boss.

Gareth Farrelly and Colin Healy continue to wait on a ruling over their status. Colm Carroll and Sean Kelly are the club's only injury problems with both ruled out.

League form for Sligo Rovers : LDLLL
League form for Cork City : WDDDW

Previous meeting(s) : Cork City 2-0 Sligo Rovers (20/10/2006)
Sligo Rovers 0-3 Cork City (12/09/2006)
Cork City 2-0 Sligo Rovers (02/05/2006)
Cork City 3-1 Sligo Rovers (23/09/2005)
IrishFootballOnline.com Prediction: Away win.

Diomed · #9 (**permalink**) 12-05-2007, 08:23

Tonights Setanta Cup preview

Setanta Sports Cup Final 2007 preview

For Irish League side Linfield, it's the end of a long successful season, for League of Ireland side Drogheda United it's the first chance to clinch some silverware in a difficult season so far. The two meet at Windsor Park, Belfast on Saturday evening in the final of the All Ireland Setanta Sports Cup. One team is set to get their name on the trophy for a second time

Linfield vs Drogheda United

The third annual Setanta Final brings together the two previous winners as the final is staged in Northern Ireland for the first time. Linfield have not only been the best Irish League side (by far) in the competition's three year history, they are also one of the best sides overall in the competition. Drogheda didn't qualify for the first running of the competition but won it on their debut in 2006 and are now the first side to qualify for successive finals.

Setanta Cup records
Linfield's record shows they have won ten of nineteen games they have played in three years of the competition. They have drawn seven and lost just two along the way. They are the highest scoring team in the competition with thirty-two goals from nineteen games although for a successful side in the competition, they have conceded their fair share of goals, sixteen.

Drogheda have won nine of fifteen games in the competition drawing and losing three each. They have the tightest defence in the history of the competition having conceded less than one goal every two games, seven. However, their goal-scoring average is also low at one goal per game.

To highlight the teams' successes defensively, they are the top two in the clean-sheets table with Drogheda managing ten shut-outs to Linfield's nine. At the other end, Drogheda have failed to score in six while Linfield have drawn a blank in four.

Linfield are looking to claim a unique treble after lifting the Irish League and Irish Cup on successive Saturday's at Windsor Park. Drogheda though are hoping to add another piece of silverware as they aim to establish themselves as one of Ireland's top clubs.

This year
Linfield and Drogheda played in the same group during the group stage of the competition. Linfield won the group, remaining unbeaten after six games with three wins and three draws. The Drogs finished second with three wins, two draws and a loss. Both sides then went on to win close semi-finals. Linfield edged out Cork City in Belfast thanks to a late goal while Drogheda needed extra-time to get past Saint Patrick's Athletic in Inchicore.

Head to head
The sides have met three times in the competition to date with the record perfectly even going into Saturday's game. Linfield won the opening game of this year's competition 1-0 at United Park with the second game in Belfast finishing scoreless. However, last year Drogheda went to Belfast for the semi-final and won 1-0.

Previous meetings
Setanta Sports Cup 2007 group 1 Linfield 0-0 Drogheda United (02/04/2007)
Setanta Sports Cup 2007 group 1 Drogheda United 0-1 Linfield (26/02/2007)
Setanta Sports Cup 2006 Semi-final Linfield 0-1 Drogheda United (11/04/2006)

Team news
Oran Kearney, Conor Downey, Timmy Adamson, Mark Magennis and Kris Lindsay are all out injured for Linfield while Paul McAreavey is a doubt.

Drogheda's well documented injury list is still a problem but having rested the entire first team squad for Tuesday's League Cup loss to Shamrock Rovers, no additional injuries have been reported. Under-17 goalkeeper Cian Byrne is likely to be the only player to have been involved in Tuesday's game that will be involved in any way - he is likely to again sit on the bench. Goalkeeper Dan Connor, Jason Gavin, Richie Baker and Shane Barrett (injured when the sides first met in February) are all set to miss out with long term problems. Graham Gartland, Steven Gray and Stephen Bradley are all doubts but likely to be available while Ollie Cahill could also miss out injured. James Keddy - scorer of the goal when the sides met at the semi-final stage last year is back available and may take a place on the Drogs bench.

Scorers in this year's Setanta Sports Cup
3 - Aidan O'Kane (Linfield)
2 - Mark Dickson (Linfield)
2 - Tony Grant (Drogheda United)
2 - Aidan O'Keefe (Drogheda United)
2 - Thomas Stewart (Linfield)
2 - Eamon Zayed (Drogheda United)

Selected match odds
Linfield: 6/4 (to lift the cup : 4/5)
Drogheda United: 13/8 (to lift the cup : 10/11)
Draw: 2/1

voja75 · #10 (**permalink**) 12-05-2007, 11:05

Cork looks pretty solid bet.
Sligo without many players, Cork well rested after mixed squad participated succesfully in midweek Cup match.
Also form is on Cork side.
Asia dropped from -1/4 to -1/2

Diomed · #11 (**permalink**) 12-05-2007, 11:31

Tonights Irish preview Div 1

Preview: Kildare County v Shelbourne

Kildare County host Shelbourne in the First Division of the eircom League of Ireland tonight in Newbridge. Fifth placed Kildare can climb one place with a win while eighth place Shels could move ahead of Kildare to fourth with a win.

Kildare go into the game unbeaten in five league games but have drawn five of their nine league games to date - including a 2-2 draw with Shelbourne.

Despite all their problems and patched together squad, Shels have become difficult to beat and a one goal loss in Cobh is their only reversal in six games.

Fiachra McArdle remains out injured for Kildare as does Gary Walsh. Otherwise Kildare should be at full strength.

Shels will have loan signings Conor Rafferty and Davitt Walsh back available after both were ruled out of the midweek League Cup loss to Bohemians.

League form for Kildare County : DDWWD
League form for Shelbourne : DDLDW

Previous meeting(s) : Shelbourne 2-2 Kildare County (09/03/2007)
Shelbourne 2-1 Kildare County (21/06/2005)
IrishFootballOnline.com Prediction: Draw.

Petrous · #12 (**permalink**) 12-05-2007, 16:19

Very nice preview for game Sligo vs Cork

http://chat.kolemdvou.cz/viewtopic.php?t=9675

traeth · #13 (**permalink**) 12-05-2007, 16:37

Quote:

Originally Posted by Petrous

Very nice preview for game Sligo vs Cork

http://chat.kolemdvou.cz/viewtopic.php?t=9675

i went to that site but could not agree with the comments there , so instead i've put my money on cork after reading diomed post and kildare because of chief's excellent analysis.

PTDSEI · #14 (**permalink**) 12-05-2007, 18:11

I'm all over Cork tonight. Heres hoping.

Diomed · #15 (**permalink**) 14-05-2007, 12:38

Tonights Irish preview

Preview: Derry City v Shamrock Rovers

Derry City host Shamrock Rovers in the Premier Division of the eircom League of Ireland on Monday night in a televised game at the Brandywell. Fifth placed Rovers go into the game with a three point lead on eighth placed Derry.

A late win over Galway United in the League Cup gave a timely boost to Pat Fenlon's Derry - giving the Brandywell support something to cheer after a poor start to the season.

The game pits one of the division's poorest performing attacks against a tight defence. Derry's tally of seven goals from nine games is well below the average of the top teams while Rovers keeper Barry Murphy has kept six clean-sheets in nine league games.

Rovers grabbed a late winner over Sligo last time out, halting a two game losing run. They lost their last three games against Derry but won at the Brandywell prior to that - a 3-2 win in April 2005 when current Derry player Pat McCourt scored twice for the Hoops.

Derry boss Fenlon has added a new goalkeeper to his squad. Ben Roberts, previously of Middlesborough and Charlton, has effectively come out of retirement to sign a short term deal with the Candystripes. Roberts was forced out of the game in 2005 due to a back injury but has signed a deal with Derry until July.

Roberts is likely to come into the side sooner rather than later after the club's very obvious problems between the posts. Meanwhile, Kevin Deery, Gary Beckett and Alan Moore all look set to remain sidelined by injury. Deery is reportedly ruled out for about a month more due to an ankle injury.

Rovers plan without the suspended Danny O'Connor, after he was sent off last time out against Sligo. Tommy Barrett, Eric McGill and Paul Shiels remain out injured.

Rovers boss Pat Scully is expecting a tough night but is hopeful ahead of the Derry trip, "Derry City haven't done as well as may have been expected, but that won't make it any easier for us going up there. The Brandywell is a tough place to go. But there's a good feeling at the club now and we'll be really strong as a group. We will perform and we're looking forward to the challenge. The players' attitude is fantastic. So as long as we can maintain our standards and keep performing, we'll be fine."

Rovers also won in the League Cup in midweek but little can be read into what was a 3-0 win over Drogheda's youth side.

League form for Derry City : DDLWL
League form for Shamrock Rovers : WLLDW

Previous meeting(s) : Derry City 2-0 Shamrock Rovers (14/10/2005)
Derry City 1-0 Shamrock Rovers (24/09/2005)
Shamrock Rovers 0-2 Derry City (15/07/2005)
Derry City 2-3 Shamrock Rovers (22/04/2005)
Shamrock Rovers 0-0 Derry City (08/10/2004)
IrishFootballOnline.com Prediction: Draw.