Prediction: Shamrock Rovers vs Derry City

Verdict: Shamrock Rovers win

Best Odds: 21/20

Bookmaker: Olympusbet

In what is a real showdown at the top of the Premier Division table, Shamrock Rovers will welcome Derry to the Tallaght Stadium on Monday night.

Shamrock Rovers

Starting with the hosts, suffering a remarkable second-half collapse away at Bohemians over the weekend, Shamrock will be desperate to prove that was nothing more than a minor blip. However, despite eventually having to settle for an action-packed 2-2 draw, Stephen Bradley’s men have continued to shine during their June romp. Tipped as a standout contender to defend their Premier Division crown in 2023 and holding a four-point buffer over the chasing pack, the Rovers will be desperate to make a title statement here. Collecting 10 points from their last four top-flight appearances, Shamrock have also enjoyed a real free-scoring run in the final third. Along with storming their way to a routine 4-0 romp against relegation scrappers UC Dublin prior to the international break, Monday’s hosts have notched 11 strikes on their four-match unbeaten run. It should also be noted, Bradley’s men have won five of their previous six showdowns at the Tallaght Stadium.

Team News

Picking up a first-half knock away at Bohemians over the weekend, Shamrock look set to be without 35-year-old Ronan Finn on Monday night. One-time Fulham starlet Sean Kavanagh should start at right-back. Returning from his own injury issue a few days ago, Dylan Watts will hope to keep his spot in the middle of the park.

While attacking talisman Rory Gaffney might have failed to find the net in four of his last five domestic appearances, the former Walford striker will spearhead Bradley’s charge here.

Derry City

As for the visitors, managing to make a crucial return to winning ways over the weekend, Derry will be desperate to spring a real Premier Division upset here. Eventually picking up a deserved 2-0 win at home against relegation scrappers Cork City, Ruaidhri Higgins’ men also drew a line under their four-match winless rut. However, cruising their way to a silver medal finish last season and once again battling it out at the top of the Premier Division table, the Candystripes should find the mood in their camp a continued high. Leading the chase to claim another lucrative top-three finish in 2023, Derry should also be excited by their most recent trip to Shamrock. In fact, when Higgins’ squad last travelled to the Tallaght Stadium back on March 3rd, Monday’s guests picked up a stellar 2-1 victory.

Team News

In what looks set to be a huge blow for Derry on Monday night, they will be unable to call on both Ronan Boyce and Ben Doherty as the duo serves their own respective suspensions. Likewise, still dealing with respective injury issues, William Patching and Patrick McEleney remain on the sidelines.

Finding the net against Cork over the weekend and notching his first top-flight strike since the start of March, 27-year-old Jamie McGonigle will spearhead Higgins’ attack here.

Key Factors to Consider

• When the two sides met for their last Premier Division contest on May 1st, Shamrock Rovers picked up a 2-0 victory at the Brandywell Stadium.
• However, in their last trip to the Tallaght Stadium on March 3rd, Derry picked up a shock 2-1 win.
• Nevertheless, Monday’s guests have suffered back-to-back Premier Division defeats on the road by an aggregate score of 5-1.
• Shamrock have collected 10 points from their last four Premier Division appearances.
• Likewise, the Rovers have also lost just one of their previous 10 domestic appearances on home soil – a ru that stems back to that 2-1 loss against Derry back in March.

Conclusion

Eventually having to settle for an action-packed 2-2 draw away at Bohemians over the weekend, Shamrock will certainly be glad to make a return to home soil here. Holding a four-point buffer over Monday’s guests and tipped as a leading contender to defend their Premier Division crown this season, Bradley’s men have the chance to make what could be a season-defining statement here. Winning five of their last six appearances at the Tallaght Stadium, Shamrock should also be boosted by their most recent meeting against their title rivals. Claiming a 2-0 victory when they travelled to Brandywell last month, we are backing a similar outcome on Monday night.

Verdict: Shamrock Rovers win

Best Odds: 21/20

Bookmaker: Olympusbet