Saint Patrick's Athletic v Galway United
Football: Republic of Ireland Premier League
Friday 10th July 2009 - Kick Off 7.45pm

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St Patricks Athletic
( Home Rec : W3 D2 L4 )

It's hard to know what to make of St Pats this season. They have been at the end of some horrendous results particularly at home, but have also managed some great wins including 2 excellent ones in recent weeks.

St Pats beat champions and league leaders Bohs 3-1 and on Tuesday night they beat Cork City 1-0 in Cork for the second time this season.

But St Pats have struggled to find any sort of consistency this season and have been trounced at home a few times, including the first day of the season when Galway themselves won 3-0.

The St Pats cause hasnt been helped by a growing injury list which includes 3 strikers and their ace in midfield Gary Dempsey. In recent weeks they lost nearly their whole defence to injury or suspension but this last week seen them all return.

St Pats put up a gutsy performance against title challengers Shamrock Rovers last week but lost 2-1. They had more possession in the game and the main difference between the sides was the clinical finishing of Rovers Striker Gary Twigg. After beating Cork on Tuesday this is a real chance for St Pats to get a run together and move further up the table.

St Patricks Athletic Last 5 League Games
Derry City 1-0 St Patricks
St Patricks 3-1 Bohs
Drogheda 1-0 St Patricks
St Patricks 1-2 Shamrock Rovers
Cork City 0-1 St Patricks

GALWAY UNITED
( Away Rec : W2 D2 L5 )

Galway got off to a flying start this season with a 3-0 win in this fixture on the first day of the season. They then went 5 games unbeaten, winning 2 and drawing 3. However that form didnt last and its only got worse lately.

Since beating bottom side Bray in May, Galway have lost 5 out of 6 league games and drawn the other, and only scored 1 goal in that time. Its a terrible run of form which has seen them slide down the table and are now 1 point behind opponents St Pats in 7th place and only 4 points clear of bottom side Bray Wanderers.

Another interesting stat is Galway's lack of goals and form away from home. Since beating St Pats on first day of season they have managed only 1 win from 8 away games, losing 5 and only 4 goals. They will also face a St Pats side out for revenge as Galway have beaten twice this season already.

Galway last 5 league games
Galway 0-3 Derry
Bohs 2-0 Galway
Galway 1-1 Drogheda
Shamrock Rovers 1-0 Galway
Galway 0-2 Cork City

THE BETTING VERDICT

I think St Pats can win this one, they have been playing better of late and got some great results, while Galways form has been awful.

The Pick :

St Patricks Athletic 2-1 Galway

FIXED ODDS BETTING :

ST PATS TO WIN AT EVENS is well worth a bet