'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
The League of Ireland is back in action with another set of matches this weekend as Shamrock Rovers take on St Patrick's Athletic on Friday. Both teams have been impressive this season and will want to win this game.
St Patrick's Athletic are in second place in the Irish Premier Division and have exceeded expectations this season. The home side suffered a 2-0 defeat against Sligo Rovers last week and will want to bounce back in this match.
Shamrock Rovers, on the other hand, edged Sligo Rovers to a 1-0 victory in their previous game and have been impressive this year. The away side is at the top of the league table at the moment and will want to win the title this season.
Trending
St Patrick's Athletic vs Shamrock Rovers Head-to-Head
Shamrock Rovers have a good record against St Patrick's Athletic and have won 28 out of 72 matches played between the two teams. St Patrick's Athletic have managed 24 victories against the Hoops and will need to step up this weekend.
The previous meeting between the two teams took place in July this year and ended in a 3-1 victory for Shamrock Rovers. St Patrick's Athletic were poor on the day and will need to win this match.
St Patrick's Athletic form guide in the League of Ireland Premier Division: L-W-L-W-W
Shamrock Rovers form guide in the League of Ireland Premier Division: W-W-L-W-W
St Patrick's Athletic vs Shamrock Rovers Team News
St Patrick's Athletic
Lee Desmond was involved in a collision on the pitch last month and remains a doubt ahead of this game. Sam Bone was sent off earlier this week and is suspended for this game.
Injured: Lee Desmond
Doubtful: None
Suspended: Sam Bone
Shamrock Rovers
Lee Grace and Neil Farrugia are injured at the moment and will likely miss out on this crucial encounter. Shamrock Rovers will need to name a strong team to win this game.
Injured: Lee Grace, Neil Farrugia
Doubtful: None
Suspended: None
St Patrick's Athletic vs Shamrock Rovers Predicted XI
St Patrick's Athletic Predicted XI (4-3-3): Vitezslav Jaros; Jak Hickman, Paddy Barrett, Shane Griffin, Ian Bermingham; Darragh Burns, Chris Forrester, Alfie Lewis; Billy King, Matty Smith, Ronan Coughlan
Shamrock Rovers Predicted XI (4-4-2): Alan Mannus; Max Murphy, Joey O’Brien, Sean Gannon, Sean Hoare; Richie Towell, Gary O’Neill, Graham Burke, Dylan Watts; Rory Gaffney, Aaron Greene
St Patrick's Athletic vs Shamrock Rovers Prediction
Shamrock Rovers are in good form at the moment and are the frontrunners to win the league title. The Hoops have been impressive in their last two games and will want to make a statement of intent this weekend.
St Patrick's Athletic can pack a punch on their day and have scored four goals in their last two league matches. Shamrock Rovers are the better team on paper, however, and should be able to win this game.
Prediction: St Patrick's Athletic 1-2 Shamrock Rovers
