On Friday night in the League of Ireland, Cork City continue their push for the title with a home game against Galway United. Their Europa League dream ended last week, although that will allow them to continue their league title challenge, something which is looking very good for them now.
Galway United need points for a very different reason, they are in the final relegation spot at the moment with work to do. However, they are just one point away from safety and they will fancy their chances of getting there, although perhaps today will not be the day they do that against such quality opposition.
The bookmakers have priced up Cork City as short priced favourites for this one and it is hard to argue with them, Cork look in good form and they are chasing down a league title.
Cork City Form
Cork are currently top of the league, they have 61 points from 21 games and a very impressive record, winning 20 of their 21 games and drawing the other. They have yet to taste defeat in the league, and you certainly wouldn’t fancy backing against them in the Irish league. A 2-0 victory over Bray Wanderers in their last game saw them move to eight wins in a row, and they will be looking to make it nine in this one.
They have a 15 point lead over Dundalk, who won the league last season and anything other than Cork taking home the title would be a huge shock.
Galway United Form
After a poor run that put them in the relegation zone, Galway have bagged themselves two very good victories recently. They managed to beat Limerick 3-1, before beating Drogheda 4-1 in a recent spell that has been very good. The victory over Drogheda was to be expected, but their win against Limerick was a sign that they are beginning to turn the corner.
With six points separating five clubs at the bottom of the league, it is very tight down there. Three of those five clubs will be relegated, and Galway will be hoping they are not one of them. If they can continue their recent form then they have every chance of escaping, although they are going to find things very tough in this game.
Team News
Cork will have to manage the remainder of the season without top striker Sean Maguire, who has left the club this summer to join English Championship side Preston North End. He scored a lot of goals for Cork and will be missed, but they do have other players capable in their line-up. Maguire signed off with a goal in his last league game for Cork, but the mantle has now been passed to the other strikers, notably Karl Sheppard who has nine league goals to his name.
After two good victories recently, I am expecting Galway to turn up with the same team when they face Cork in this one. Gavan Holohan scored three out of their four goals in the latest win over Drogheda and he will be expected to lead their attacking options once more. With so many scoring options in the Cork team, he is going to have to take any chances he gets as it looks highly likely that Cork will score at least one in the game.
Top Betting Tips
I think we will see plenty of goals in this game, despite Cork just losing their best striker. Both teams need to win the game for very different reasons and both will be looking to take home the points to help their cause. Cork are not too far away from winning the league title and wrapping that up early will be their aim. Galway will know they are in a battle at the bottom and with them being one of five teams separated by just six points, every single point counts right now and anything they get here will be a huge bonus.
There are two bets I like in this game. The first is for both teams to score and Cork City to win the game. This is priced up at 7/4 with Ladbrokes and looks the most likely option in what I believe will be a free scoring game. The second pick of mine is a correct score, and I am going to take Cork City to win the game 3-1. This is available at a generous 10/1 with William Hill and offers a good value bet.