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

Bohemians vs. Sligo (Friday, 7.45pm)

Aiming to climb back into the top two in the League of Ireland Premier Division after a recent slump, Bohemians will welcome Sligo Rovers to Dalymount Park on Friday.

A four-match winless run has seen the hosts drop four points behind new leaders Derry City, while their visitors remain seventh after making a return to winning ways against the top side last weekend.

We say: Bohemians 2-1 Sligo Rovers

Following a run of disappointing results, Bohemians are bound to return to winning ways sooner rather than later, and although Sligo Rovers will pose a threat, we back the Bohs to take all three points on home turf on Friday.

Derry vs. Shelbourne (Friday, 7.45pm)

Derry City will be aiming to maintain their place as the League of Ireland Premier leaders on Friday when they host Shelbourne.

The visitors currently sit sixth in the table and head into this match after two games without a victory.

We say: Derry City 1-0 Shelbourne

These are the two best defensive teams in the division, therefore people should not expect a goal frenzy from this one, which will likely be tight.

However, Derry City will be the favourites and should just take the edge as they aim to remain on top of the division.

Drogheda vs. Cork City (Friday, 7.45pm)

Drogheda United and Cork City will both be aiming to win their third consecutive match when they meet in the League of Ireland Premier Division on Friday.

The two sides find themselves in eighth and ninth positions respectively after each suffering disappointing starts to the campaign, but they have picked up in recent weeks ahead of an important clash this weekend.

We say: Drogheda United 2-1 Cork City

This should be an entertaining encounter given that both teams head into it fresh from two successive victories, with Cork requiring a positive result in order to avoid losing touch with the rest of the division.

However, we expect Drogheda to grind their way to a narrow victory, with the hosts undoubtedly having more stability at the club.

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

University College Dublin will be bidding to end a run of five straight losses in the League of Ireland Premier Division when they welcome St Patrick's Athletic on Friday night.

The home side are currently rock bottom of the table, nine points behind ninth-placed Cork City, while St Patrick's are fourth, boasting 29 points from their 18 league games this season.

We say: University College Dublin 0-2 St Patrick's Athletic

UCD are a difficult team to back at the moment, and it is tough to know where their next victory is coming from. St Patrick's will head into this match in excellent form, on the other hand, and we are expecting them to be too strong for their opponents in this contest.

Shamrock vs. Dundalk (Friday, 7.45pm)

Shamrock Rovers will be bidding to return to the top of the League of Ireland Premier Division when they welcome Dundalk to Tallaght Stadium on Friday night.

The home side are currently second in the table, one point behind leaders Derry City, while Dundalk occupy fifth position, four points behind third-placed Bohemians in the race for European qualification.

We say: Shamrock Rovers 2-1 Dundalk

Shamrock will be missing some important players for this match through suspension, but we are still expecting the home side to triumph. Rovers will be desperate to bounce back from successive defeats and should have too much quality for Dundalk in Friday night's contest.