Waterford v Shamrock

Waterford vs Shamrock Rovers Preview

Waterford will be keen to return to the more familiar surroundings of their Waterford Regional Sports Centre after being handed back-to-back defeats away from home in the Irish Premier Division, while Shamrock Rovers recorded a narrow 1-0 home win against Dundalk in last week's Irish top flight action and the visitors will be eager to make it two wins on the trot at the Waterford Regional Sports Centre on Friday night.

Recent losses on the road at Galway United 1-0 and Drogheda United have been most unwelcome where Waterford have been concerned as the hosts are still in the frame for a possible top three finish in this season's Irish Premier Division but the two defeats away from home have done little to boost their chances.

The hosts are now level on 37 points apiece with fourth placed Sligo Rovers and only three points above their upcoming visitors, Shamrock Rovers, so it's fair to say that Waterford will be desperate to return to winning ways in this encounter.

However, although the hosts have picked up wins against Sligo Rovers, Dundalk and St Patrick's Athletic, Waterford have also slipped to four defeats within these seven games as well, so there are no guarantees of success for Keith Long's side here.

Shamrock Rovers lifted themselves up into fourth spot in the Irish Premier Division standings following last week's 1-0 home win over Dundalk and now the visitors will be seeking to post back-to-back wins in the domestic top flight for the first time since mid-April when they registered victories over Sligo Rovers and Derry City.

Overall results though have also been pretty inconsistent where Shamrock Rovers have been concerned as the visitors have collected just three wins in their previous 10 games in the Premier Division, which came in the shape of wins against the likes of Derry City, Drogheda United and the aforementioned Dundalk.

Five defeats within these previous 10 games suggest Shamrock Rovers may well face a tough assignment at the Waterford Regional Sports Centre but the visitors also have great incentive to pick up all three points here on Friday night as they continue their pursuit of claiming a top three finish in this season's campaign.

The bigger picture shows Shamrock Rovers have suffered just five defeats in their last 18 games on their travels whilst also collecting five wins as well, so this upcoming clash against Waterford really could go either way.

Waterford v Shamrock Rovers Verdict

Shamrock Rovers have held the upper hand over Waterford in no uncertain fashion as the visitors have lost just once in the last eight meetings against their hosts, and having won seven of these eight encounters, Rovers look set for further success here on Friday night.

Therefore, our main bet will be Shamrock Rovers win @ 1.66

Other side bets worth considering:

Shamrock Rovers win & Under 2.5 goals @ 4.50

Correct Score: Shamrock Rovers 1-0 @ 8.00