Third plays fourth in the League of Ireland when St Patrick's Athletic host Dundalk on Friday.
With the home side seven points better off and still just eight points adrift of leaders Shamrock Rovers with a game in hand, there is much to play for in the Irish top-flight as the campaign continues throughout the summer.
St Patrick's Athletic v Dundalk Tips Summary
Best Bet - St Patrick's to win @ 11/20
Alternative Bet - Both teams to score @ 3/4
Bet Builder - St Patrick's to win, Over 2 goals & Aidan Keena to score anytime @ 5/2
St Patrick's Athletic v Dundalk Prediction
Best Bet: St Patrick's to win @ 11/20
St Pat's have been impressive at their Richmond Park home of late, winning their last four, and it should be more of the same on Friday against Dundalk.
Stephen Kenny's side have accounted for Drogheda United, Sligo and Galway in front of their own fans recently in the league - all while not conceding - before seeing off a spirited Wexford 2-1 in the cup last weekend.
That formidable Richmond Park form makes them very difficult to oppose, even if fourth-placed Dundalk should provide a decent test.
The visitors' recent form has been poor; they have lost their last three in the league, but on the road they have generally been more reliable.
The Lilywhites have picked up victories in three of their last four road trips, including when overcoming Leinster Senior League side St Mochta's 3-1 in the FAI Cup last weekend.
Dundalk also recorded a notable win over St Pat's when the two sides last met, winning 2-0 at home in April, but the Dublin side did win the two previous match-ups, including when dishing out a 4-0 thrashing to Dundalk in the most recent Richmond Park clash in February.
Alternative Bet:Both teams to score @ 3/4
While a home win is expected on Friday evening, Dundalk look capable of scoring.
Ciaran Kilduff's side have struggled in recent weeks in the league, but they have at least always been able to find the back of the net.
In defeats to Drogheda (2-1), Shelbourne (2-1) and Waterford (3-2), they have always been in it, ending up on the wrong side of narrow losses, and you have to go back to April 25th and a 2-0 defeat at Sligo for the last time they fired a blank.
St Pat's have scored eight goals in their last four outings, which includes a creditable 4-2 friendly loss to Doncaster Rovers, and they are the second-highest scorers in the division with 39 from 24 games so far.
Furthermore, their scoring exploits at home are impressive, with 27 goals in 12 games this term.
St Patrick's Athletic v Dundalk Bet Builder Tip
St Patrick's to win
Over 2 goals
Aidan Keena to score anytime
Pays @ 5/2
The starting point for the Bet Builder is for a St Pat's win, and adding in over two goals is the second leg, with these two sides well used to producing plenty of goals in games.
Finally, a goalscorer selection is advised - with Athletic's Aidan Keena tipped to be a key man on the night.
Keena has scored 12 times in all competitions this season for St Pat's and approaches Friday's game in red-hot form, having scored in each of his last three appearances.
Learn more about how Bet Builders work in our Bet Builder guide.
Key Match Stats
St Patrick's have scored 27 goals in 12 home games this season
There have been 18 goals in Dundalk's last 5 matches
There have been 18 goals in Dundalk's last 5 matches
St Pat's beat Dundalk 4-0 at home earlier in the season
Saints have won two of the last three meetings
Aidan Keena has scored 12 goals in all competitions for St Pat's, including three in his last three games
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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.
