Shamrock Rovers v Galway United
Football: Republic of Ireland, Premier League
Saturday 20th June 2009 - Kickoff 19:00

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SHAMROCK ROVERS (Home Rec : W4 D2 L2)

Its been a terrific season so far for new Rovers Boss Michael O Neill in his first season in charge. They currently sit in fourth position and only 5 points behind leaders Bohs and 7 points ahead of fifth place St Pats. Playing in their new home ground too, the clubs fans have had plenty to cheer, including their last gasp 2-1 victory over arch rivals Bohs when they were 1-0 down with minutes remaining.

On Tuesday night they won their FAI Cup replay 3-0 away at Drogheda and were missing several key players too. They have only lost 1 in their last 12 league games and have gone to difficult places such as Cork and Derry and got hard earned draws. They were a little inconsistent earlier in the season, especially at home but seemed to have settled there now and have got 7 points from their last 9 available at home.

The form of striker Gary Twigg has been one of the reasons for Rovers good form. He has netted 13 times in 16 league games and is top scorer along with Jason Byrne of Bohs. Rovers have been missing several players of late but are expected to be at near full strength for this game, although there are doubts over Sean Webb, Padraig Amond and the versatile Darragh Maguire may miss out with a knee problem.

SHAMROCK ROVERS LAST 5 LEAGUE GAMES
Shamrock Rovers 2-1 Bohs
Derry City 0-0 Shamrock Rovers
Shamrock Rovers 1-1 Drogheda
Shamrock Rovers 3-1 Dundalk
Cork City 0-0 Shamrock Rovers

GALWAY UNITED (Away Rec : W2 D2 L4)

Galway got off to a flyer at the start of the season by beating St Pats 3-0 away from home. They then got 7 points from a possible 9 and went the first 5 games of the season unbeaten. This from a side who only narrowly escaped releagtion last term and were favourites to go down this season.

However the form of early season hasn't lasted and the currently sit in 6th position out of 10 teams and only 7 points clear of bottom side Drogheda.

Galway drew 1-1 at home to Drogheda last time out in the league, but before that they had lost 3 games in a row. Their away form has also been terrible of late. Since beating Drogheda 1-0 in April they have lost all 4 away games without even scoring a goal. You would have to feel a visit to in form Shamrock Rovers may not be the place to end that record.

However there was more encourging signs last week in the FAI Cup as Galway went to First Division side Finn Harps and won 3-0. But they have found it much more tough going when going up against top sides. They have played against the top 4 teams on 6 different occasions this season and only mangaged 1 point which was a draw at Derry in the early part of the season.

GALWAY UNITED LAST 5 LEAGUE GAMES
Galway 3-0 Bray
Sligo 2-0 Galway
Galway 0-3 Derry
Bohs 2-0 Galway
Galway 1-1 Drogheda

THE BETTING VERDICT

Rovers have been looking very impressive of late while Galway continue to slide down the table - so its a HOME WIN at 8/11 for me.

Also consider the OVER 2.5 GOALS option which is available at a very generous price of 13/10. Rovers have been finding the net alot of late and for me that price is well worth a bet.

The Pick :

SHAMROCK ROVERS 2-1 GALWAY UTD

FIXED ODDS BETTING :

Take SHAMROCK ROVERS to win at 8/11

Consider OVER 2.5 GOALS at 13/10