
John Curtis looks forward to the League of Ireland meeting of St Patrick’s Athletic and Dundalk at Richmond Park, Fri 5th Apr, 7:45pm
Form:
St Patrick’s Athletic are going into this game on a bad run of form.
They’ve won their opening two games of the season however the last five games in the league have been as follows: two draws and three defeats. Only once did they score in those five, with the goal coming from Mikey Drennan. In that run they conceded five.
They also bowed out of the EA Sports cup at home to Dundalk on Monday night losing 2-1, which makes it six games in all competitions on the spin without a win.
See Bar One Racing’s St Patrick’s Athletic v Dundalk betting here
Dundalk have been on a brilliant run of form as of late, they leaked goals in their opening three games of the season and dropped what you could say were silly points in the first two, before getting their first win vs UCD.
After that they drew 0-0 away to Shamrock Rovers. That was followed by three straight wins and keeping four clean sheets in their last four games in the league.
Dundalk scored seven goals in those four games. The latest win came against Cork City last week, with Michael Duffy scoring the only goal in the 38th minute and Dundalk could have had a lot more only for some good goalkeeping by Mark McNulty in the Cork goals.
The Match:
This match normal throws up plenty of goals when these two teams play each other.
Both teams played each other four times in the league last year with Dundalk winning two and drawing two with 11 goals in all the games added up.
This match could be one way traffic. Dundalk are starting to hit their stride. Pats are struggling for form big time this year, and for goals, with Mikey Drennan being the only player to score in the league for St Pats this season.
The Inchicore side’s confidence must surely be dinted losing two big Dublin derbies to Shamrock Rovers and Bohemians already this season.
Bohemians 1-0 St Patrick's Athletic. The Dublin derby bragging rights go to Bohs who continued their fine early season form. #rtesoccer pic.twitter.com/ohfkKOYwL0
— Soccer Republic (@SoccRepublic) March 29, 2019
What could have been a promising season for Harry Kenny’s men, is starting to turn into a bit of a disaster with the lack of cutting edge in the team.
I think there will be plenty of goals in this game with Dundalk going so well lately and their opposition leaking goals.
I can’t see anything other than an away win and a comfortable away win in this case with a massive travelling support heading to back the champions Dundalk.
⚽ Another month of cracking goals. Who is your #DundalkFC Goal of the Month winner for March? #CmonTheTown pic.twitter.com/ElpDBgGMYr
— Dundalk FC (@DundalkFC) April 2, 2019
Team News:
St Pats will be without suspended Mikey Drennan who saw red against Bohemians last week, while defender Kevin Toner misses out.
Dundalk will be without Chris Shields, Patrick McEleney and Robbie Benson who all remain out injured.
Verdict:
Dundalk win and a comfortable win at that, with goals coming a plenty.
These teams played on Monday against each other in the league cup, Dundalk ran out 2-1 winners with a lot of fringe players and a couple of youngsters in their starting team.
Dundalk are firing on all cylinders and goals are coming from all over the park for them, St Patrick’s Athletic will surely have their work cut out in this game.
But if they can overload the midfield they could make it a hard night’s work for the Dundalk men.
Sean Murray Anytime Goalscorer at 16/5
Correct Score Dundalk to Win 3-0 at 12/1