Bitesize Prediction: Drogheda vs Sligo Rovers – 7/28/23

Competition: Irish Premier League

Market: Drogheda Victory

Rating: 13/10 @

Meeting for the second time in the space of a week on Friday night, Drogheda will host Sligo Rovers at Weavers Park.

Starting with the hosts, extending their FAI Cup adventure last week and clinching their ticket to the quarter-finals with a 2-1 victory over Sligo, Drogheda has certainly been crying out for a welcome boost from the start. opening in July. Stepping away from impending relegation and now a five-point buffer from slipping into the drop zone, Kevin Doherty's men will be desperate to claim what could be a season-defining win here. Last seen in top-flight action fighting their way to a 3-1 tie at UC Dublin, the County Louth-based side are unbeaten in each of their last four encounters against the opposition of the Premier Division. Likewise, suffering just one defeat in one of their last six appearances – a run that dates back to June 5 – Friday's hosts could feel a real lucky here. With five goals in their winning streak over the past fortnight, Doherty's side are also enjoying their longest unbeaten streak since early March.

As for the visitors, while Sligo might have been claiming a much-needed boost at home against Cork earlier in the month, John Russell's men certainly came down to earth last weekend. Limping out of the FAI Cup after that 2-1 defeat at Weavers Park, Rovers continued to struggle with their consistency on either side of the June international break. With some in their camp still looking over their shoulders at a looming relegation fight, the Reds have picked up just a pair of wins in one of their last eight consecutive encounters against Premier Division opposition – a race that dates back to May 27. Opening July with a 2-1 defeat at the hands of Derry, Friday's guests also gained a reputation for their lingering problems on the road. In fact, including that 2-1 defeat at Drogheda last weekend, Russell's men have also picked up just one point in any of their previous five encounters away from the Showgrounds. /p>

Bet: Drogheda 13/10 will beat Sligo Rovers in Friday's game in the Irish Premier League @