Shamrock v Cork

Shamrock Rovers v Cork City Preview

Shamrock Rovers will be desperate to return to winning ways in the Irish Premier Division after a run of seven matches without a win in all competitions, but this upcoming fixture with Cork City represents a golden opportunity for the hosts to end their current slump as the visitors currently sit second from bottom in the table.

On the domestic front, Shamrock Rovers have been handed defeats in the Premier Division and the Irish FA Cup by Dundalk while also being held to a disappointing 0-0 draw away at Drogheda United but their exploits on the European scene have been simply disastrous.

A 3-1 defeat on aggregate to Icelandic outfit, Breidablik, saw Shamrock Rovers make an early exit from the Champions League qualifiers but further misery was to follow as Rovers were then dealt a heavy 6-0 loss on aggregate to Hungarian side, Ferencvaros, in the subsequent Europa Conference League qualifiers, so the hosts only have the Premier Division to focus on as a result.

This may be no bad thing though as league form has perhaps taken a bit of a dent in recent weeks but nevertheless, Shamrock Rovers still sit four points clear at the summit of the Premier Division which has been helped by winning six of their last seven games on home soil.

Cork City sit in a lowly second from bottom position in the Irish Premier Division table but they do possess a comfortable 14-point buffer above the bottom of the table side, UCD, but the visitors may have to deal with a relegation play-off later in the season unless they can erode the six-point deficit between themselves and third from bottom club, Drogheda United, in the meantime.

A flurry of four wins on the trot earlier in the campaign gave Cork City some hope in their bid to avoid a potential relegation play-off following victories against Sligo Rovers, Shamrock Rovers, Drogheda United and Bohemians respectively, but Cork City have since returned to type, failing to win any of their subsequent six matches overall.

Four defeats within these last six matches have once again opened up a gap between themselves and safety after being handed defeats by the likes of Dundalk, Derry City, Sligo Rovers and Shelbourne, while results on their travels have been particularly poor.

The bigger picture shows Cork City have managed to capture just one win out of their previous 25 outings on the road which is a woeful record indeed, and one that also includes failing to score in no fewer than 15 of these games as well.

Shamrock Rovers v Cork City Verdict

Shamrock Rovers may have struggled for results lately but the hosts do hold a steady record against Cork City, winning four of the last six meetings and Rovers won't get many better chances to returning to winning ways than this Sunday.

Therefore, our main bet will be Both Teams To Score NO @ 1.70

Other side bets worth considering:

Shamrock Rovers win & Over 2.5 goals @ 2.30

Correct score: Shamrock Rovers 3-0 @ 9.50