We have four games to look forward to in the Ireland Premier League on Saturday. Arguably the pick of the matches is the meeting between Shamrock Rovers and Derry City at Tallaght Stadium, Dublin.
Shamrock Rovers begin the weekend in second place, with 43 points to their name having played nineteen games. They have a game in hand over Dundalk who are 3 points clear at the top. Derry City find themselves in fourth place on 30 points and need a win if they want to have a chance of getting in the Europa League playoff places.
You must go back to 2011 to find the last time Shamrock Rovers won the Ireland Premier League. This season could be their chance and they come into this game having won each of their last three in the league. They have defeated UCD and Finn Harps away plus Cork City at home.
Trends show Shamrock Rovers are undefeated in eighteen of their last twenty-one Premier League matches. They have kept a clean sheet in eleven of their last sixteen on home soil and in each of the last three in the league.
Shamrock Rovers have won nine of their last twelve games at home, losing just one. They have scored two or more goals in eight of those nine wins and have never conceded more than a single goal in any of the twelve matches.
Derry City needed extra-time to see off Finn Harps in the quarter-final of the League Cup last Monday night. That was the last time they played a game and you must go back to the 24th May to find the last time they played in the Premier League, when they defeated Finn Harps 4-0 at home.
However, they are their only two wins in their last seven games in all competitions. In the Premier League, trends show Derry City have won one of their last six matches and two of the last nine. Nonetheless, Derry City have been tough to beat away from home in the league and trends show they have tasted defeat only once in their last nine away matches.
They have failed to win each of the last four on the road, drawing three and losing one. Derry City have failed to score in their last two away league games.
Team news and Shamrock Rovers will be without Sean Kavanagh and Sam Bone who have a knee and thigh injury respectively.
Derry City could travel without up to four players with Patrick McClean, Darren Cole, Eoghan Stokes and Michael McCrudden all doubtful.
Shamrock Rovers come into this match as the favourites and if they perform to their best could come away with a win and a clean sheet.