Friday's League of Ireland Premier predictions including Bohemians vs. Shamrock

Bohemians vs. Shamrock (Friday, 7.45pm)

Bohemians will be looking to move into the top three when they welcome league leaders Shamrock Rovers to Dalymount Park in the League of Ireland Premier on Friday evening.

The hosts are back on home soil after a difficult pair of away fixtures, while Shamrock will be hoping it make it four wins on the bounce as they aim to retain their title.

We say: Bohemians 0-2 Shamrock Rovers

Bohemians earned a respectable point away at second-placed Derry City last time out, but they now face a Shamrock Rovers side who are clearly the best in the league at this moment.

Rovers are firing in attack and keeping solid defensively - we can envisage another maximum for the league leaders to strengthen their grip on the League of Ireland title.

Derry vs. Cork City (Friday, 7.45pm)

Second top host second bottom in the League of Ireland Premier on Friday night, with Derry City welcoming an in-form Cork City to The Ryan McBride Brandywell Stadium.

The hosts have lost ground on league leaders Shamrock Rovers following a disappointing winless run, while the visitors are beginning to find their feet at this level after promotion last term.

We say: Derry City 1-0 Cork City

Derry have struggled in recent times but now face a Cork side who have been unable to pick up results on the road so far this term in the League of Ireland.

The Rebel Army are giving themselves a chance of staying up this term after a dreadful start, but we can see them recording back-to-back losses when they visit Derry on Friday night.

Drogheda vs. Dundalk (Friday, 7.45pm)

Drogheda United require a positive result against Dundalk on Friday to guarantee remaining outside of the Irish Premier Division's relegation places.

The visitors, meanwhile, could move as high as third in the table with a victory.

We say: Drogheda United 1-2 Dundalk

Dundalk have beaten the bottom two teams in the division in their last two matches, and we can envisage them having some joy against another relegation-threatened opponent on Friday.

Drogheda will feel confident that they have enough about themselves to avoid the dreaded drop this season, but Doherty's side do appear set for a real dog-fight.

St Patrick's vs. Shelbourne (Friday, 7.45pm)

St Patrick's Athletic will be aiming to remain in the top three positions of the Irish Premier Division table by beating Shelbourne on Friday.

The visitors, meanwhile, would move two points behind their opponents with a game in hand should they secure a victory.

We say: St Patrick's Athletic 1-0 Shelbourne

St Patrick's had been on a superb run prior to their surprising defeat to Drogheda last time out, and we can envisage them returning to winning ways on Friday.

Shelbourne are surely due a loss despite being incredibly tough to beat in recent months under Duff, who has made them a defensively astute side without the goals at the other end to make them a perfectly-balanced outfit.

UCD vs. Sligo (Friday, 7.45pm)

University College Dublin will be aiming to end a losing streak of eight matches when they host Sligo Rovers on Friday.

The visitors, meanwhile, are only two points above the relegation zone after winning just one of their last seven games.

We say: University College Dublin 1-3 Sligo Rovers

Sligo will be licking their lips at the prospect of potentially putting further distance between themselves and Cork, who occupy the relegation playoff spot ahead of Friday's action, by beating UCD.

The hosts appear out of answers in terms of putting an end to their losing streak, and we expect them to succumb to an eighth consecutive defeat.