Shamrock Rovers v Bohemians
Football: League Of Ireland
Friday October 2nd KO 7.45pm

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SHAMROCK ROVERS 2nd - Home Record W9 D3 L2

Only 7 games to go in this seasons League Of Ireland and the top two face each other in the most eagerly awaited clash in Irish Football in many years. Not only is there only one point between the sides, the but they are arch rivals and have the biggest most intense rivalry in the league. Such is the interest in the fixture, the game has been sold out since last week, a situation that is not very common in league of Ireland football nowadays.

For Rovers its been there most memorable season in recent times by a long way. Playing in there new ground, the best they had hoped for realistically at the start of the season was a push for a European spot but after a terrific run of 19 games unbeaten in the league (13 wins and 6 draws) they find themselves in a 2 horse race for the league with Bohs.

Its been an amazing run of form and the form of Striker Gary Twigg has probably been the story of the season amongst others. Twigg has netted 21 league goals and is 3 ahead of Bohs Striker Jason Byrne for the title of top scorer.

Rovers have also shown good character in recent weeks. In there last 2 games they went 1-0 down and came back to win them both by 3-1 at home to Bray and last week in a potentially very tricky tie, won 2-1 at Sligo.

Boss Michael O Neill has added some plenty of good talent to bulk up his squad over the season and are at near full strength for the visit of their Dublin rivals. U21 International Iain Bermingham is out through injury but Rovers will welcome back Pat Sullivan and Darragh Maguire from suspension.

ROVERS LAST 5 GAMES
Shamrock Rovers 1-0 St Patricks Athletic
Sporting Final 2-2 Shamrock Rovers FAI CUP
Shamrock Rovers 1-2 Sporting Final CUP Replay
Shamrock Rovers 3-1 Bray Wanderers
Sligo Rovers 1-2 Shamrock Rovers

BOHEMIANS 1st - Away Record W 8 D2 L4

Bohs came through a huge test on Tuesday night when they won 1-0 at third place Derry City which effectively ended Derry's title challenge. It was also a huge win for Bohs as they had lost 2 of their previous 3 league games. They went from being a comfortable seven points ahead to just one over the space of a disastrous week but bounced back with a hard fought 3-2 win over Dundalk and last Saturday winning the League Cup against Waterford.

Bohs are the current League and Cup double holders and won the league by a staggering 19 points last season. They have the biggest and best squad in the league although Rovers can certainly claim to be not too far behind now. Despite being top and being a class above most sides in the league they dont look as unbeatable as last season. The Bohs have lost 6 times, as opposed to Rovers 3 and lost to struggling sides such as St Patricks Athletic, Sligo Rovers and Bray.

In their first meeting with Rovers away earlier in the season they led 1-0 going into the last minute and appeared to be cruising, only to concede twice in the last minute. It was a dramatic ending to a game which Bohs looked to have wrapped up.

Bohs midfield area will certainly be weakened for this game. Boss Pat Fenlon will have to do without the trio of Gary Deegan, Anto Murphy and Killian Brennan all of whom have been outstanding for Bohs over the last 2 seaons. But Bohs defence has been outstanding this season and they dont concede too many goals and as Derry City found out on Tuesday night, they can be very hard to break down if they are defending a lead.

BOHS LAST 5 GAMES
Bohs 0-0 Sligo Rovers FAI Cup
Sligo Rovers 2-1 Bohs Cup Replay
Bohs 3-2 Dundalk
Waterford 1-3 Bohs League Cup Final
Derry City 0-1 Bohemians

HEAD TO HEAD

2009 Season
Bohs 2-0 Rovers
Rovers 2-1 Bohs
Bohs 0-0 Rovers

VERDICT

This is a massive game and I cant see either side taking too many risks.

8/15 in Paddy Powers is good value for UNDER 2/5 GOALS which I am going for as my main bet.

The DRAW at 9/4 is also definitely worth a look.

FIXED ODDS BETTING :

Take UNDER 2.5 GOALS (main bet)

The DRAW at 9/4 (3.25) is also definitely worth a look.