Bitesize Prediction: Cork City vs Finn Harps – 12/07/24

Competition: Irish First Division

Market: Cork City win

Odds: 2/5 @ 1xBet

Simply looking to widen their buffer at the top of the First Division standings, Cork will welcome the Finn Harps to Turners Cross on Friday night.

Starting with the hosts, while Cork might have lost their Premier Division status last season, the Rebel Army are breezing their way to an immediate top-flight return. Embarking on what has been a sensational romp this year, Tim Clancy’s men open this weekend’s fixtures holding a remarkable 15-point buffer over the chasing pack. Last seen putting in another routine performance as they secured a 3-1 victory away at Wexford, fans around Turners Cross find the mood in their camp at a red-hot high. Signing off June with a 1-0 win against Bray, the former St. Patricks boss has seen his squad win all of their previous four First Division appearances by an aggregate score of 10-2. With their extended purple patch highlighted by a stellar 4-1 victory against Cobh Ramblers last month, Cork will simply be looking to make another statement here, It should also be highlighted, along with winning their last three consecutive battles at Turners Cross, Clancy’s side have not suffered a single defeat in front of their own supporters so far this season.

As for the visitors, managing to claim what was an essential boost last week as they secured a hard-fought 1-0 victory at home against Kerry, the Finn Harps will be desperate to use that performance as a platform to build on. However, despite still leading the chase to claim a play-off ticket this season, Darren Murphy’s men have recorded just a pair of wins from any of their previous eight First Division appearances. Struggling to find much stability since their bright start to the 2024 campaign, the Ballybofey-based side have also shown some extended issues on the road. In fact, along with a 2-0 loss away at Cobh Ramblers last month, Friday’s guests have failed to win any of their previous seven matchups on their travels – a rut that stems all the way back to March 29th. Mustering just a single victory from any of their 20 historic trips to Turners Cross, we are expecting what should be a routine home win here.

Bet: Cork City 2.5 to beat Finn Harps in Friday’s Irish First Division battle @ 1xBet