With the return of Europe’s elite just around the corner, it will once again be Ireland that steals most of Friday’s headlines.
Ahead of an eye-catching set of fixtures from up and down the country, we have found a pair of helpful tips that can potentially offer a great return for your Friday flutter.
19:45 Drogheda vs Sligo Rovers
Extending on their FAI Cup adventure last weekend and punching their quarter-final ticket thanks to a 2-1 win against Sligo, Drogheda will certainly be hoping to produce a repeat performance here. Although some in Kevin Doherty’s men might be looking over their shoulder at a potential relegation scrap, Friday’s hosts have claimed what has become a crucial boost since opening July.
Last seen in Premier Division action claiming a routine 3-1 romp away at UC Dublin, the Drogs open this weekend’s fixtures holding a five-point buffer over slipping into the relegation play-off spotted they will be looking to lay down another marker here.
Snatching what was a rugged 0-0 stalemate at home against reigning Irish champions Shamrock earlier in the month, Drogheda are unbeaten in each of their last four meetings against Premier Division opposition.
Likewise, along with notching five goals in their back-to-back victories over the past fortnight, it should also be noted that Doherty’s side are enjoying their longest unbeaten flurry since the start of March.
Smelling the chance to further widen their buffer over the bottom-two, the County Louth-based outfit should be relishing Sligo’s arrival on Friday night.
Making an immediate return to losing ways last weekend as they suffered that 2-1 FAI Cup defeat away at Weavers Park, it is fair to say that the Rovers are enduring another inconsistent top-flight blip.
Despite claiming what was a much-welcomed boost at home against Cork earlier in the month, the Candystripes have won just a pair of their previous eight showdowns against Premier Division opposition – a run that stems back to May 27th.
In fact, mustering just a single point from their last five top-flight battles on the road, we are backing a home victory on Friday night.
Betting Tip: Drogheda win @ 13/10 with Pribet
19:45 Galway vs Bray
Only continuing on what has been a stunning purple patch since opening the 2023 campaign, it is no secret that Galway are breezing towards a Premier Division return this season. With the mood around Eamonn Deacy Park at a red-hot high, John Caulfield’s men currently hold a remarkable 16-point buffer at the top of the First Division standings.
Simply looking to make another domestic statement this weekend, Friday’s hosts have suffered just a single defeat across all formats so far this season and they have only continued to receive a string of plaudits.
Last seen extending on their FAI Cup adventure thanks to a 4-1 romp at home against Bangor Celtic, the Tribesmen have also gained a major reputation for their clinical performances in the final third.
With their history-making flurry highlighted by a 6-0 victory against the Finn Harps last month, Galway have notched a staggering 74 First Division strikes in their 23 second-tier showdowns this season.
Likewise, winning each of their previous 12 straight battles at Eamonn Deacy Park – a run that stems all the way back to March 2nd, Caulfield’s side are rightfully tipped as a landslide pick here.
While Bray might have also punched their own FAI Cup quarter-final ticket after claiming a 3-1 win away at lower-league Cockhill last weekend, that result doesn’t cover what has been a nightmare run of form.
Last seen in second-tier action slumping to a 3-0 defeat at home against Wexford, the Seagulls have won just one of their last eight First Division appearances.
Knowing that they face a monumental challenge on Friday night, Ian Ryan’s men should also be worried by their infamous most recent trip to Galway.
Hit with a woeful 6-0 drumming when they travelled to Eamonn Deacy Park last season, we are expecting a similar home victory here.
Betting Tip: Galway win to nil @ 1/1 with Luckster
Friday’s Irish Daily Double
- Drogheda vs Sligo Rovers – Drogheda win @ 13/10
- Galway vs Bray – Galway win to nil @ 1/1
Place a £10 bet on our Daily Double with Vegas Land and pocket £46.00 if all predictions are correct.
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