Simon Dalton presents his prediction for the Irish Premier Division match.
Nearly half of the season has passed in the Irish Premier Division, yet the title race remains wide open. Just four points separate the top five teams, with both Shamrock Rovers and Saint Patrick's Athletic among them. This fixture could have a significant impact on the standings.
Shamrock Rovers
Shamrock Rovers currently top the standings, holding a two-point lead over their closest challenger and four points ahead of Saint Patrick's. They also boast the best goal difference in the league at +12. After a disappointing four-game stretch where the squad failed to secure a win and collected only three points, they have responded in style with three straight victories, scoring a combined total of eight goals while conceding just once.
Saint Patrick's Athletic
Among the matches where Shamrock Rovers dropped points was a 2:2 draw against Saint Patrick's Athletic. In that encounter, Saint Patrick's were at home and managed to equalise in the 91st minute. Since then, they have scored at least twice in three of their last six league outings. Total Over 2.5 Goals was recorded in four of their last seven matches, including the draw with Shamrock Rovers.
Shamrock Rovers vs Saint Patrick's Athletic Prediction
The league leaders have featured in even more high-scoring games, with five of their last seven fixtures ending with Total Over 2.5 Goals. Backing Total Over 2.5 Goals seems a strong option here, especially considering this outcome has occurred in five of the last six league meetings between the two teams.
