Dundalk – Shamrock Rovers Prediction & Picks (06.04.2018)

Dundalk and Shamrock Rovers meet at Oriel Park, in a match for the 10th round of the Premier League. In the last direct match for this edition of the league, on 23-02-2018, the two teams tied (0-0). The history of direct confrontations played in this stadium is favorable to the home team, which in the last 8 matches won 3, drew 4 and lost 1. But the last time these two teams played a match in this stadium, in 01- 10-2017, for the FAI Cup, the two teams tied by (1-1). R. Benson (9 ‘) scored the goals of the game, for Dundalk, and B. Miele (76’), for Shamrock Rovers. the Shamrock Rovers presents considerable differences in their results at home and as a visitor, so in this game the home factor may be decisive.

Dundalk:

After 5 wins and 3 draws, the home team is currently in the 2 nd position, with 18 points won. In the penultimate match, they won in an away match against Sligo Rovers, by (0-2). In the last match, they won in a home match against Bohemians, by (3-0). This is a team that usually maintains its competitive levels in home and away matches, since in the last 30 matches they register 9 wins and 6 draws as a visitor, with 30 goals scored and 9 conceded; against 10 wins, 4 draws and 1 loss at their stadium, with 29 goals scored and 7 conceded. In the last 5 home league matches Dundalk has a record of 4 wins and 1 draw, so they have won 13 points out of 15 possible.

For this competition, it records a sequence of 4 wins in the last matches at home and did not lose any of the last 8 matches. Their defense has been very strong, since they have not suffered goals in the last 8 matches for this competition.

The Dundalk leaves for this party with a triumph on the Bohemians, by 3-0, adding therefore the third triumph followed in the Irish championship. Of note that Dundalk is the only team that has not yet lost in this competition. Normally the trainer Stephen Kenny plays in 4-2-3-1, privileging a soccer of possession of ball and organized attacks: Ronan Murray is the great person in charge to create and to organize the offensive process. On the other hand, Patrick Hoban is the highlight of this Dundalk team, being the best score, with 4 goals scored. For this game the coach has all his players.

Shamrock Rovers:

After 5 wins, 1 draw and 3 losses, the away team is currently in the 4 th position, with 16 points won. In the penultimate match, they lost in an away match against Waterford United, by (2-1). In the last match, they won in a home match against Sligo Rovers, by (1-0). This is a team that usually makes good use of the home advantage, stronger with the help of its supporters, since in the last 30 matches they register 7 wins, 1 draw and 7 losses in away matches, with 18 goals scored and 16 conceded; against 10 wins, 3 draws and 2 losses at their stadium, with 33 goals scored and 13 conceded. For the league, Shamrock Rovers won 3 points out of 12 possible points, after 1 win and 3 losses in the last 4 matches they played as visitors. Their attack has scored regularly, since they have scored goals in 7 of the last 9 matches for this competition.

The Shamrock left for this game with a home win against Sligo, 1-0, adding the third win in the last four games. It is important to note that visitors add up to just one victory in the four games played away from home. In this game coach Stephen Bradley must enter the field with a more defensive strategy, exploring only the counterattack, but in some moments of the match must have the offensive initiative of the game. Forward Graham Burke is the most dangerous player on the attack front, having scored 7 goals. For this game the coach can not count on Kavanagh and Gilchrist, both for suspension.