League Preview: St Patrick's Athletic -v- Shamrock Rovers

ST PATRICK’S ATHLETIC

St Patrick’s Athletic take on local rivals Shamrock Rovers at Richmond Park on Friday evening in front of a sold-out crowd (kick-off is at 7.45pm).

The Saints sit second and are currently the Premier Division’s form side, winning their last four games.

Last Friday they defeated Bohemians 3-2 at Dalymount Park and another win in a Dublin Derby this Friday could see them close the gap on the Gypsies to four points at the top of the League.

“We've been doing very well in the last few weeks and we know where we are it at the moment,” boss Tim Clancy said this week.

“We've got a massive task against arguably the best team in the country tomorrow night, they are in good form themselves too.

“We played them a few weeks ago and drew 2-2, both teams were in a completely different place then, we had lost three in a row and they were looking for their first win.  

“Since then both teams have picked up a lot of points and the table looks a bit different so we're hoping to keep our run going."

The Saints will be without captain Joe Redmond who is side lined for a couple of weeks with a hamstring injury, the full extent is unknown, and Redmond is expected to see a specialist.

SHAMROCK ROVERS

Shamrock Rovers will be looking to get back to winning ways after a 2-2 draw with Shelbourne on Friday.

Rovers had hit form prior to the stalemate with three wins in a row over UCD, Bohs and Dundalk.

Speaking to the Rovers team media ahead of the game manager Stephen Bradley said

“It’s a Dublin derby, we’ve always thought that Pats have good individuals and that remains the case.

“We know it’s a tough game, they’re doing well but we’re doing well as well so that will make it a good game. It’s one we’re looking forward to and one we’re ready for.”

A win for The Hoops on Friday would see them overtake Pats in the table with 11 games played.

Referee: Rob Hennessy

MATCH STATS

The two sides last met in Tallaght in March when the game ended 2-2. Jake Mulraney’s 88^th minute wonder-strike cancelled out Jack Byrne’s own effort 30 minutes previous.

Rovers are unbeaten in the last four games between the sides, three wins and one draw. Pats last win came in March 2022 when Chris Forrester scored in a 1-0 victory.

After ten games played Rovers are top of the xG stats in the league with 20.12 to their name. Pats have the second worst xG against stats with 13.32. Only UCD’s is higher. 

BETTING

St Patrick’s Athletic 11/4; Draw 12/5; Shamrock Rovers 10/11

PREDICTION

St Patrick’s Athletic 1-2 Shamrock Rovers

St Patrick’s Athletic

Injured: Joe Redmond,

Doubtful: Tom Grivosti, Jake Mulraney, Daniel Rodgers, Harry Brockbank

Suspended: Tommy Lonergan

Shamrock Rovers

Injured: Rory Gaffney, Liam Burt

Doubtful: Sean Gannon,

Suspended: None.