Simon Dalton presents his prediction for the Irish Premier Division match.
Shamrock Rovers saw their impressive 11-match unbeaten streak come to an end in the previous round. Despite that setback, they remain firmly at the top of the league standings. The push for a new run starts with a home match against Waterford, who currently occupy eighth place in the standings.
Shamrock Rovers
Once again, Shamrock Rovers were undone by Bohemian. The Dublin derby always brings an extra edge for both sides, and this season Bohemian have won all three encounters, emerging as the closest challengers to the league leaders. It's also worth noting that two rescheduled matches account for six of Shamrock Rovers' nine-point cushion.
Waterford
Waterford appear to be holding on to eighth place, despite being just three points off sixth. Since round eight, they have only moved out of that spot for three matchdays. The main issue for the squad continues to be inconsistency. They managed a 2:1 home win over Bohemian, only to follow it with a 0:1 defeat away to second-from-bottom Sligo Rovers. Such swings in performance rarely yield long-term success.
Shamrock Rovers vs Waterford Prediction
Shamrock Rovers have lost only four times in 23 rounds, with three of those defeats coming at the hands of the same opponent. At home, they have been beaten just once in 11 outings, drawing only three. The league leaders are expected to dispatch Waterford without much trouble, having previously recorded 2:0 and 3:1 victories earlier in the season. This fixture offers a timely chance to bounce back from their recent disappointment.
