St Patricks Athletic (St Pats) v UCD
Football: League Of Ireland Premier Division
Friday 9th July Kick Off 7.45pm

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St Patricks Athletic 2nd ( Home Record W7 D1 L2 )
UCD 6th ( Away Record W3 D3 L3 )

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St Pats suffered a setback in their title challenge on Monday night as they lost 2-1 in their Dublin derby clash against Shamrock Rovers. Rovers overtook St Pats at the top of the table with that win by a point but St Pats do have a game in hand. It was a terrific game, one of the games of the season without doubt which had everything,great football, great goals and drama at the end as St Pats missed a late penalty after a handball on the line similar to the suarez incident in the world cup.

The game also showed that St Pats can definitely sustain their title challenge to the end as Rovers one of the favourites were given a very tough game although they probably just about deserved the win. St Pats have been excellent this season and were probably expected at best to push for a European spot but new boss, the very experienced Pete Mahon has them playing outstanding football. They also have the best scoring record and also best defence in the league. They have won their last 4 home games including wins over fellow title chasers Bohemians and Dundalk and scored 11 goals in those games.

UCD did beat St Pats in their last meeting with a 1-0 win but St Pats comfortably beat them 3-0 the last time they played at St Pats home ground in Richmond Park. UCD have been a bit of a surprise package this season with many expecting them to go straight back down to the First Division.

However they have done very well and are only 8 points behind St Pats and sit in 6th place from the 10 teams and well clear of the automatic releagtion and play off positions.However UCD's form of late has not been great, they have lost both their games since the recent break and just managed 1 win in 4 which has seen them slip down the table a bit after being within in a couple of points of the lead. This will definitely be a tough test for them with a St Pats side eager to continue their title push and to make amends for Monday's defeat.

ST PATRICKS ATHLETIC LAST 5 MATCHES
Shamrock Rovers 2-1 St Patricks Athletic
St Patricks Athletic 4-2 Galway United
Sligo Rovers 0-0 St Patricks Athletic
St Patricks Athletic 3-0 Bray Wanderers
Drogheda 2-1 St Patricks Athletic

UCD LAST 5 MATCHES
UCD 0-2 Bohemians
Drogheda 1-0 UCD
Sporting Fingal 1-2 UCD
UCD 0-2 Sligo Rovers
UCD 3-1 Dundalk

VERDICT

St Pats to bounce back after Monday's defeat and get a win. They are a side on the up, theres no doubt about that. They are at 4/5 with Paddy Powers and well worth a bet.

The Pick :

St Patricks Athletic 1-0 UCD

FIXED ODDS BETTING :

ST PATRICKS ATHLETIC TO WIN