Friday's League of Ireland Premier predictions including Cork vs. Shelbourne

Bohemians vs. UCD (Friday, 7.45pm)

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Cut adrift at the foot of the League of Ireland Premier Division table, University College Dublin will go in search of just a third league win of the season on Friday, when they travel to take on Bohemians.

After 24 matches, the visitors have just nine points, 14 behind ninth-placed Cork City and 19 adrift of automatic safety, while their visitors currently occupy fourth spot, four points behind second-placed St Patrick's Athletic and third-placed Derry City with a game in hand on both.

We say: Bohemians 3-1 University College Dublin

Bohemians are not at their best in recent months after their strong start to the campaign, while University College Dublin may take some confidence from their recent cup victory, but we still see the hosts being far too strong for a Students side who have managed just nine points all season.

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Cork City vs. Shelbourne (Friday, 7.45pm)

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Cork City will be desperate to improve their standing at the bottom end of the League of Ireland Premier Division table on Friday, when they welcome Shelbourne to Turners Cross.

Following a five-match league winless run, the hosts sit in the relegation playoff place, five points adrift of automatic safety, while their visitors are 12 points better off in sixth spot after 24 outings.

We say: Cork City 1-2 Shelbourne

Cork City are certainly short on confidence, and while we anticipate a close encounter at Turners Cross, Shelbourne should have enough to leave with all three points as they look to narrow the gap to Bohemians and Dundalk in the top half.

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Drogheda vs. Sligo (Friday, 7.45pm)

Drogheda United will be aiming to make it three straight wins when they resume their League of Ireland Premier Division campaign at home to Sligo Rovers on Friday night.

These two teams locked horns in the first round of the FAI Cup last Friday, with Drogheda progressing to the next round of the competition courtesy of a 2-1 success.

We say: Drogheda United 1-1 Sligo Rovers

This is a really difficult match to call, especially just a week after the two sides met in the cup. A case can be made for either team to win it, but we are expecting a tight match and have therefore had to settle on a low-scoring draw in the League of Ireland Premier Division contest.

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