Preview: Finn Harps vs. St Patrick's Athletic - prediction, team news, lineups

With 20 points and four sides separating them in the League of Ireland Premier Division, Finn Harps and St Patrick's Athletic will square off at Finn Park on Friday.

The hosts currently occupy the relegation playoff place and sit just two points above basement side University College Dublin, while their visitors find themselves fourth and within touching distance of the top three after a victory last time out.

Match preview

Finn Harps have had to endure a tough campaign in the League of Ireland Premier Division thus far, and they quickly found themselves fighting around the bottom of the league as they amassed just two points from the opening five games.

A first win of the season against Shelbourne briefly arrested that slump, before the Harps had to wait another six games for their second and most recent triumph, as they again bettered Shelbourne.

Since that second three-point haul, Ollie Horgan's side have failed to add another notch to their wins column in six attempts, as they firstly suffered four straight defeats at the hands of Shamrock Rovers, University College Dublin, Drogheda United and Dundalk.

After halting that losing run with a draw against Derry City, they travelled to take on Sligo Rovers last time out and were unable to build an improved streak, as an Aidan Keena brace and a goal from Karl O'Sullivan condemned the Harps to a 3-0 loss - their 12th league defeat of the campaign.

While they remain ahead of UCD by two points, Horgan's men now sit 10 points adrift of automatic safety with 17 games to play, meaning they require a major turn in form if they are to stand a chance of avoiding a playoff game with their top-flight status at risk, and they will be desperate to return to winning ways on Friday as a result.

Their visitors, meanwhile, find themselves in a different battle, as an important win has taken St Patrick's Athletic within three points of the top three.

A relatively pleasing start to the campaign left the Saints on 23 points from 14 outings, before back-to-back draws were followed by a defeat to Shelbourne.

Last season's second-placed side did then bounce back with a 3-0 thrashing of Bohemians, thanks to a Tunde Owolabi hat-trick, before they were narrowly beaten by second-placed Dundalk.

They were quickly able to make a return to winning ways last time out, though, as Eoin Doyle hit a brace in a 2-1 beating of strugglers UCD on home turf.

With that result leaving St Patrick's three points behind a faltering Derry City side, they will look to ramp up their pursuit of the top three with a second straight victory on Friday.

Team News

Finn Harps' goals have come from a wide variety of sources so far this season, and the likes of Luke Rudden and Mark Timlin will be vying to break into the starting XI in attacking roles.

Filip Mihaljevic and Eric McWoods could again lead the line, having each netted three league goals so far this season, while Yousef Mahdy and Barry McNamee are both hoping to keep their places from the outset.

The St Patrick's line will be led by experienced forward Eoin Doyle, who has enjoyed an impressive run of form since returning to Ireland from Bolton Wanderers, having contributed seven goals and four assists in 20 league appearances this term, including a decisive brace against University College Dublin in their last outing.

Darragh Burns, Chris Forrester and Mark Doyle were deployed behind the striker in the last outing, although the likes of Tunde Owolabi and Billy King have also laid claims for starting spots.

Centre-backs Tom Grivosti and Joe Redmond have been relative mainstays recently, and they should again partner up at the heart of the defence.

Finn Harps possible starting lineup:

McGinley; Carrillo, Slevin, Tourish; Boyle, Rainey, McNamee, Donelon; McWoods, Mihaljevic, Rudden

St Patrick's Athletic possible starting lineup:

Anang; Curtis, Redmond, Grivosti, Breslin; O'Reilly, McClelland; Burns, Forrester, M Doyle; E Doyle

We say: Finn Harps 0-2 St Patrick's Athletic

St Patrick's Athletic head into the game in far better form than their hosts, and we can only envisage a relatively straightforward away win against the strugglers.

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