Shelbourne v Shamrock Rovers Prediction: Dublin rivals 11/5 to end all square again

League of Ireland leaders Shamrock Rovers take on Dublin rivals Shelbourne on Friday evening having established a six-point lead at the top of the table.

Stephen Bradley's side have dented the title hopes of main rivals Bohemians and St Patrick's Athletic with back-to-back Dublin derby wins having slipped to surprise losses against Dundalk and Sligo Rovers previously.

Shels are unbeaten in seven games but boss Joey O'Brien will be keen to see them convert stalemates into wins more often.

Shelbourne v Shamrock Rovers Tips Summary

Best Bet - Draw @ 11/5
Alternative Bet - John McGovern anytime goalscorer @ 21/10
Bet Builder - Over 3 goals, Over 6 corners & Either Will Jarvis or John Martin to score @ 5/1

Shelbourne v Shamrock Rovers Prediction

Best Bet: Draw @ 11/5

Champions Shamrock Rovers started the season with just four wins in nine games, but have now stamped their class on the title race after wins over Bohs and St Pats saw them move clear at the top.

Both of those wins came via the odd goal, including a dramatic Enda Stevens header at Dalymount Park that broke Bohs' resolve in the 96th minute last month.

At home against St Pats, Graham Burke fired Rovers into an early lead with what proved the only goal and the visiting side from Inchicore enjoyed more shots, more corners and a higher xG figure despite losing out.

Shels have drawn four of their last six games, most recently with Derry City at Celtic Park and here when Galway United pegged them back in a 1-1 draw.

Three of the last four league meetings between these clubs at Tolka Park have ended in draws and that theme may continue given the hosts' recent tendency for stalemate.

Alternative Bet: John McGovern anytime goalscorer @ 21/10

Things didn't really take off for young forward John McGovern after he made the move from Irish League side Dungannon Swifts to Shamrock Rovers last season but the 23-year-old is now making inroads.

He found the net within 60 seconds of coming on against Bohemians at Dalymount Park in that come-from-behind win and was rewarded with a start against Pats, where he looked decent without scoring.

McGovern has been in and out of the team but he fired a brace before setting up another in last month's 4-1 win over Drogheda and set up another for Michael Noonan in the win at Galway.

He has three goals and two assists in his last six outings and can continue his upward trajectory for the Hoops now.

Shelbourne v Shamrock Rovers Bet Builder Tip

• Over 3 goals

• Over 6 corners

• Either Will Jarvis or John Martin to score

  Pays 5/1

This is the third league meeting of these clubs since March. It ended 2-2 here at Tolka Park in round two of the new season, while Rovers came from a goal down to win 3-2 at Tallaght Stadium on Easter Monday in a really entertaining contest.

Rovers are joint-top scorers in the Premier Division with 31, while Shels have scored 27 and shipped 26 having played a game less. We could see another end-to-end derby.

There have been 16 corners across those two meetings, both going over six, and that trend can continue.

If the hosts are to have a good night, John Martin and Will Jarvis should have leading roles. Jarvis had a couple of successful loan spells at Shels before joining from Notts County in January and scored in last month's 2-1 win over Waterford here.

Martin is on six league goals in 17 games for the Reds, already just one shy of last season's total from 33 appearances. He will relish facing the champions and should prove a danger. Taking either Jarvis or Martin to score for the home side completes the bet builder.

Learn more about how Bet Builders work in our Bet Builder guide.

Key Match Stats

• Shamrock Rovers have recorded successive wins over Bohemians and St Patrick's Athletic, currently second and third, to open up a six-point lead

• The Hoops are joint-leading goalscorers with 31 in 20 Premier Division games

• Shelbourne are unbeaten in seven games (W3, D4), sitting in fifth spot in the table

• Three of the last four league meetings at Tolka Park have ended in draws

• Both teams have scored in five of the last six meetings of these Dublin rivals

• Over 2.5 goals have been scored in four of the previous five meetings

Read more football betting tips and predictions on site

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.