Shamrock Rovers' League of Ireland title challenge has faltered over recent weeks but they can return to the top of the standings with a positive result against struggling Drogheda United at Tallaght Stadium on Thursday.
This looks set to be one of the most dramatic LOI title races in recent years with defending champions Shamrock sitting level on 59 points with St Patrick's Athletic and Bohemians.
The Hoops have not played since 18th September when a 3-2 victory over Waterford moved them three points clear at the summit, but with Pat's and Bohs both winning since then, Stephen Bradley's side head into this game sitting third on goal difference.
The win over Waterford was Rovers' first in seven games across all competitions, but they will be hopeful of following up against a Drogheda side that are fighting for their lives at the other end of the table.
Shamrock Rovers v Drogheda United Tips Summary
Best Bet - Shamrock Rovers and both teams to score @ 9/4
Alternative Bet - John McGovern anytime scorer @ 11/10
Bet Builder - Over 2 goals, Graham Burke anytime scorer & Drogheda United +2 handicap @ 6/1
Shamrock Rovers v Drogheda United Prediction
Best Bet: Shamrock Rovers and both teams to score @ 9/4
As summer turned to autumn, the results started to sour for Shamrock, whose seven-match winless run saw them exit the Europa League, Conference League and FAI Cup, as well as lose ground in the title race.
Rovers did record a much-needed win against Waterford last time out, twice coming from behind to take the points, and head coach Bradley will be hoping that signals an upturn in form at this crucial stage in the season.
Shamrock will certainly fancy their chances of getting the better of Drogheda, who they beat 4-1 when the teams last met at Tallaght Stadium in May, with their home record remaining strong even during their recent sticky spell.
The Hoops are unbeaten in their last 10 home matches across all competitions, winning seven of those games, and they will be coming up against a Drogheda side that were beaten at another title challenger, Bohemians, last time out.
Drogheda did put up a spirited display in that 2-1 defeat, with Bohs scoring the game-winning goal in the 90th minute through Dawson Devoy, but their overall away record is poor as they have lost half of their 16 LOI games on their travels in 2026.
The Drogs do tend to score, netting in four of their last five away trips, and against a Shamrock defence that has kept just one clean sheet in 10 and gave up two goals against Drogheda's relegation rivals Waterford last time out, they can find the back of the net, but it may not be enough to stop them from slipping to defeat.
Alternative Bet: John McGovern anytime scorer @ 11/10
Forward John McGovern was the star of the show for Shamrock against Waterford, scoring two goals in the final 19 minutes to secure the much-needed win.
That took the 23-year-old's goals tally for the season into double figures and he certainly enjoyed facing Drogheda the last time the two sides locked horns at Tallaght Stadium.
McGovern scored two of Shamrock's four goals that day, as well as providing an assist, and he could return to haunt Kevin Doherty's visitors once again.
Shamrock Rovers v Drogheda United Bet Builder Tip
Over 2 goals
Graham Burke anytime scorer
Drogheda United +2 handicap
Pays 6/1
Shamrock are fresh from edging a five-goal thriller against Waterford and this could be another high-scoring contest with Drogheda having scored multiple goals in three of their last five away games.
As well as McGovern, Shamrock's Graham Burke is another serious contender to get on the scoresheet.
The former Republic of Ireland international, who counts Aston Villa, Preston North End and Notts County among his list of former clubs, is Rovers' leading scorer in the league with eight goals and he has three goal involvements in his last four LOI games.
Although this is a match Shamrock should win, they are unlikely to run away with proceedings and it could be worth siding with Drogheda with a +2 start.
Shamrock's last three league wins have been by a one-goal margin, while Drogheda proved their ability to mix it with the division's big hitters in their recent narrow 2-1 loss at Bohemians.
While a similar battling defeat will not help Drogheda's cause in terms of points on the board, it could give them another confidence boost heading into the remainder of the season, with matches against relegation rivals Waterford and Galway United on the horizon.
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Key Match Stats
Shamrock Rovers snapped a seven-game winless run by beating Waterford last time out
Rovers are unbeaten in their last 14 meetings with Drogheda United across all competitions
It finished 4-1 to Shamrock when these two sides last met at Tallaght Stadium in May
Drogheda have won two of their last three matches to boost survival hopes
Shamrock's last three League of Ireland victories have been by one-goal margins
Graham Burke is Shamrock's leading scorer in this season's LOI with eight goals
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This article was written by a partner sports writer via Spotlight Sports Group. All odds displayed on this page were correct at the time of writing and are subject to withdrawal or change at any time.
