Stephen Bradley and Shamrock Rovers could move 10 points clear at the top the League of Ireland if they are victorious on Friday night's visit to The Showgrounds to face Sligo Rovers.
Despite winning just 14 of their 24 League of Ireland games, Rovers enter the weekend seven points clear of inconsistent Bohemians in second spot.
The champions will want some revenge after a shock home defeat to Sligo in May as the visitors aim for a second success of the season in the shadows of Benbulben.
Stephen Bradley's side go to Malta after this game to face Floriana in their opening UEFA Champions League qualifying game.
Sligo Rovers v Shamrock Rovers Tips Summary
Best Bet - Shamrock Rovers -1 @ 13/8
Alternative Bet - Michael Noonan anytime goalscorer @ 7/5
Bet Builder - Shamrock Rovers to win, Both teams to score - No & Under 9 corners @ 11/2
Sligo Rovers v Shamrock Rovers Prediction
Best Bet: Shamrock Rovers -1 @ 13/8
Shamrock Rovers surrendered an early lead in a 2-1 Tallaght Stadium loss when these sides last clashed in May, but a repeat win for the Bit O'Red seems unlikely.
That remains the sole win for John Russell's side in their last nine attempts across the previous two months, with Sligo going into the weekend second from bottom.
Shamrock Rovers have four wins and a draw in their last six games and have opened up a gap to the chasing pack.
They had gone four games at The Showgrounds prior to winning 2-0 here in March when goals from Matthew Healy and Danny Grant before half-time did the damage.
A similar outcome is forecast here.
Alternative Bet: Michael Noonan anytime goalscorer @ 7/5
The aforementioned Grant is expected to remain sidelined after missing Rovers' last three league outings.
Graham Burke was on the bench for last weekend's win over Galway United and there could be a start here for teenager Michael Noonan.
He has come off the bench to score against Waterford and Galway in recent weeks and started the league meeting of these two team in Dublin six weeks ago.
Burke is Rovers' leading marksman in the league with six goals and Noonan is just one behind the veteran forward. He can draw alongside his team-mate.
Sligo Rovers v Shamrock Rovers Bet Builder Tip
Shamrock Rovers to win
Both teams to score - No
Under 9 corners
Pays 11/2
Shamrock Rovers boss Bradley twice made reference to that May defeat against Sligo in his pre-game press conference and, with the European qualifiers looming, he warned that: "It's important that we're fully focused on the challenge that Sligo are going to bring us."
He's sure to instil that mentality and his side can deliver a win, similar to the professional job they did at Waterford a fortnight ago in a 2-0 success.
Sligo's tally of 17 goals in 22 Premier Division games isn't encouraging. They have failed to score in two of their last three games.
Fewer than nine corners completes the bet builder. There were eight when these sides met here in March and seven last time in Tallaght.
Sligo average just four corners per game, while Rovers come in at 4.92 and have a corner-concession rate of 3.67 per 90 minutes.
Learn more about how Bet Builders work in our Bet Builder guide.
Key Match Stats
Sligo Rovers were shock 2-1 winners when these sides met in Tallaght in May, with Carl McHugh netting a 97th-minute winner
That is the only win for John Russell's side in nine games since the start of May (D3, L5)
Shamrock Rovers' 2-0 win here in March was their first in five visits to The Showgrounds (D2, L2)
The Hoops enter the weekend seven points clear of Bohemians despite losing five times in the league already
Sligo have conceded three goals beyond the 90-minute marker in their last two games
Sligo (17) have scored the fewest goals in the division this season, 10 less than next-lowest Drogheda United
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.
