Cork City are the runaway leaders in the Irish Premier League, a massive 16 points clear at the top of the table. On Friday night the leaders host struggling Galway United at Turner’s Cross.
Cork look unlikely to be caught at the top of the table, as not only do they have a healthy lead at the top of the table, they also have two games in-hand on reigning champions Dundalk in second-place.
The home sides lead at the top of the table is mainly courtesy of the fact that they have won 20 of their 21 league games in the Irish top-flight. However, Galway are the only team to have avoided defeat against the home side in this season’s Premier League.
Cork’s recent record on home soil in the Irish top-flight is formidable, as they have won their last 17 league games while scoring two or more goals in 16 of those 17 victories.
One negative for the home side is that they suffered a 1-0 defeat against Cypriot side AEK Larnaca in the second qualifying round of the Europa League last time out. The defeat means that John Caulfield’s side exited the competition 2-0 on aggregate.
Galway currently occupy the last relegation spot in the Irish top-flight. However, a repeat of the reverse fixture would see the visitors move out of the relegation zone on goal difference. The visitor's form has improved of late with two consecutive wins in the Irish top-flight.
However, the visitor’s away form in the Irish Premier League has been poor in recent seasons, as they have failed to win any of their last 21 games on their travels in the league. Shane Keegan’s side did record a 1-1 draw at relegation-rivals St. Patricks Athletic, though.
Forebet predicts that the leaders will record an eighth straight league win and stretch their lead at the top of the table.