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Waterford v Shamrock Rovers Prediction: 3/5 Hoops to bounce back with a win

It's top versus bottom in the League of Ireland as leaders Shamrock Rovers travel to struggling Waterford on Friday night.

The Hoops remain at the summit despite losing three of their last five matches, while the Blues - without a win in the first 16 games of the League of Ireland season - have recorded two victories in the last month.

However, despite the recent switches in form, normal service should be resumed at Waterford Regional Sports Centre, with Rovers expected to get back to winning ways.

Waterford v Shamrock Rovers Tips Summary

Best Bet - Shamrock Rovers to win @ 3/5
Alternative Bet - Over 2.5 goals @ 7/10
Bet Builder - Graham Burke anytime goalscorer, Both teams to score & Over 10 corners @ 11/1

St Patrick's Athletic v Sligo Rovers

Waterford v Shamrock Rovers Prediction

Best Bet: Shamrock Rovers to win @ 3/5

Rovers are top of the standings in the League of Ireland for a reason and will be determined to get back to earn another three points after a recent blip.

The Hoops lost at Dundalk and were defeated at home by Sligo Rovers in May before getting the better of Bohemians and St Patrick's Athletic.

Going down 2-1 at Shelbourne last week saw their lead at the summit cut to five points, so Stephen Bradley's men know they need a victory at Waterford to rebuild momentum for the title push.

The Blues have endured a miserable season but have enjoyed some positive results recently, beating fellow strugglers Sligo Rovers 4-0 last time out.

However, Rovers should possess too much quality for Waterford and win on Friday.

Alternative Bet: Over 2.5 goals @ 7/10

While Waterford may be enduring a disappointing campaign, Graham Coughlan's side still know where the net is.

The Blues have scored in each of the last seven matches, recording 16 goals in that time, while overall they have netted 25 goals in 20 league matches so far this season.

Rovers have kept only two clean sheets in eight games and drawn a blank only once, away to Dundalk, since the start of May.

When Waterford last hosted the Hoops in April, both teams found the net, so backing over 2.5 goals on Friday looks like a smart play.

Waterford v Shamrock Rovers Bet Builder Tip

  • Graham Burke anytime goalscorer

  • Both teams to score

  • Over 10 corners

    Pays 11/1

Rovers forward Graham Burke has scored six goals this season, including the winner against Waterford at the start of May.

The former Aston Villa frontman also netted a crucial strike against St Patrick's in the Hoops' last win and will be aiming to get on the scoresheet again on Friday.

Before last week's victory and clean sheet against Sligo Rovers, six straight Waterford matches had featured both teams scoring.

Five of the Hoops' last seven games have also seen goals at both ends, so backing both teams to score could prove a wise pick.

As for corners, Rovers average five per game, while Waterford matches feature a total of 11.5, so Friday's match could well see over 10 as the two teams aim to add to their goal tallies.

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

Key Match Stats

  • Waterford and Shamrock Rovers have met twice already this season, with the Hoops winning one and the other meeting ending in a 1-1 draw

  • Shamrock Rovers are the joint- second highest goalscorers in the League of Ireland, joined on 32 by Bohemians and Dundalk

  • Waterford had to wait 16 matches before earning their first league win of the season

  • Graham Burke scored his 100th goal for Shamrock Rovers against Shelbourne in April

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.

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