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

Bohemians vs. Dundalk (Friday, 7.45pm)

Dundalk will be bidding to stretch their unbeaten run in the League of Ireland Premier Division to six matches when they travel to Bohemians on Friday night.

The visitors are currently fourth in the table, four points ahead of fifth-placed Bohemians, although the home side have two games in hand on their opponents in this contest.

We say: Bohemians 1-1 Dundalk

This has all of the makings of an excellent match, and it will be fascinating to see what occurs on Friday night. Dundalk will enter the match in strong form and off the back of an impressive win over Shamrock, but we have a feeling that Bohemians will be good enough to secure a share of the spoils here.

Derry vs. Sligo (Friday, 7.45pm)

Derry City will be bidding to return to winning ways when they continue their League of Ireland Premier Division campaign at home to Sligo Rovers on Friday night.

Ruaidhri Higgins's side are currently third in the table, six points behind the leaders Shamrock Rovers, while Sligo occupy seven position, just four points ahead of ninth-placed Cork City.

We say: Derry City 1-1 Sligo Rovers

Sligo will enter this match full of confidence following their win over Bohemians, but Derry are much better than they have shown of late, and we are therefore finding it difficult to back a home defeat here, ultimately settling on a low-scoring draw at the Brandywell Stadium.

Drogheda vs. Shamrock (Friday, 7.45pm)

Shamrock Rovers travel to Drogheda United on Friday evening looking to strengthen their position at the top of the League of Ireland Premier Division table.

At a time when the visitors hold a four-point advantage in first place, the home side sit just two points clear of the relegation zone.

We say: Drogheda United 1-3 Shamrock Rovers

Drogheda will be hoping that playing in front of their own supporters can act as the catalyst for a famous win on Friday evening. However, we cannot look past Shamrock, who we expect to come through a competitive opening hour before running away with the win.

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

St Patrick's Athletic play host to Cork City on Friday evening looking to strengthen their hold of a top-three spot in the League of Ireland Premier Division table.

Meanwhile, the visitors to Richmond Park find themselves in the relegation zone, albeit by just two points, but defeat would leave them at risk of being cut adrift in the battle to avoid the drop.

We say: St Patrick's Athletic 3-1 Cork City

Possessing the best attacking record in the bottom half of the table, Cork should not necessarily be ruled out of claiming something from this fixture. Nevertheless, despite their issues in defence, we still see St Patrick's eventually running away with this contest.

UCD vs. Shelbourne (Friday, 7.45pm)

A week after shipping seven goals in their latest League of Ireland defeat, University College Dublin host mid-table Shelbourne on Friday.

Rock-bottom of the Premier Division standings, UCD took just one point from the teams' two previous meetings this year and have won only twice all season.

We say: University College Dublin 0-2 Shelbourne

Neither side is particularly potent in the final third - they have only 34 goals between them all season. UCD will be rattled by their hammering last time out, and even if they manage to keep their visitors at bay for a while, goal-shy Shelbourne must surely find a way through the league's leakiest defence.