Two of the division’s top five clubs face off when Waterford take on Shamrock Rovers at the Regional Sports Centre in the Irish Premier Division on Friday, 2 August. View our betting tips for the fixture below.
Contents
- 1 Waterford vs Shamrock Rovers prediction: Blues are dangerous underdogs
- 2 Pre-game odds and win probability: Rovers are odds-on favourites
- 3 Most recent H2Hs: Blues targeting second win
- 4 Waterford preview: Four could miss out for Blues
- 5 Shamrock Rovers preview: Few injury concerns
- 6 Player to watch – Dean McMenamy
Waterford vs Shamrock Rovers prediction: Blues are dangerous underdogs
Key Stats
- Waterford have won six of their last seven matches on home soil.
- Shamrock Rovers were beaten in each of their last three games.
- Shamrock Rovers conceded twice in each of their last two Premier Division matches.
- Each of Waterford’s first two meetings with Shamrock Rovers this season produced over 2.5 goals.
Correct score prediction: Waterford 2-1 Shamrock Rovers
Shamrock Rovers’ campaign is going from bad to worse and the Hoops conceded at least two goals in three of their last five away matches in all competitions. High-flying Waterford have scored 20 goals in 12 home fixtures in the Premier Division this term and they could outgun their visitors on Friday.
Pre-game odds and win probability: Rovers are odds-on favourites
- HOME: 3/1 (4.00) – 25%
- DRAW: 3/1 (4.00) – 25%
- AWAY: 4/6 (1.67) – 60%
*odds from Ladbrokes, subject to change
Waterford (3rd) are three points ahead of defending champions Shamrock Rovers (5th), however, despite their superior position and form, they have been priced as 3/1 underdogs to beat the Hoops on Friday. Rovers have been underperforming across the board this term, though they are 4/6 favourites to win despite their sketchy circumstances. View more of our top Irish football picks on our dedicated latest football tips page.
Most recent H2Hs: Blues targeting second win
Waterford upset the odds to beat Shamrock Rovers 3-1 in Dublin when the teams last met in May and that was the Blues’ first triumph over the Hoops since 2018.
Republic of Ireland Premier Division 06/05/24
Shamrock Rovers
Waterford FC
Republic of Ireland Premier Division 01/04/24
Waterford FC
Shamrock Rovers
Republic of Ireland Premier Division 05/11/21
Waterford FC
Shamrock Rovers
Republic of Ireland Premier Division 10/09/21
Shamrock Rovers
Waterford FC
Republic of Ireland Premier Division 18/06/21
Waterford FC
Shamrock Rovers
Waterford preview: Four could miss out for Blues
Connor Evans, Sam Sargeant, Kyle White, Rowan McDonald and Maleace Asamoah are all out of action for Waterford. The Blues are still well-positioned in the table, though they fell to a disappointing 2-0 loss at bottom club Drogheda last time out.
Predicted lineup: Jones (GK), Power, Horton, Leahy, McCourt, Pattisson, McCormack, O'Keefe, Parsons, McMenamy, Amond
Republic of Ireland Premier Division 31/08/24
L
Sligo Rovers
2
Waterford FC
0
Republic of Ireland Premier Division 23/08/24
L
Derry City
1
Waterford FC
0
Republic of Ireland FAI Cup 16/08/24
L
Athlone Town
3
Waterford FC
2
Republic of Ireland Premier Division 09/08/24
W
Bohemians Dublin
2
Waterford FC
3
Republic of Ireland Premier Division 02/08/24
L
Shamrock Rovers
2
Waterford FC
1
Shamrock Rovers preview: Few injury concerns
Shamrock Rovers have few personnel concerns at present, though attacker Rory Gaffney is a doubt and might not be involved. The Hoops were dumped out of the Champions League qualifiers by Sparta Prague in midweek and they could be fatigued after their efforts on Friday after the short turnaround.
Predicted lineup: Pohls (GK), Hoare, Lopes, Grace, Honohan, Farrugia, O'Neill, Nugent, Clarke, Watts, Greene
Republic of Ireland Premier Division 01/09/24
L
Bohemians Dublin
2
Shamrock Rovers
1
UEFA Europa League Qualifying 29/08/24
L
PAOK Salonika
2
Shamrock Rovers
0
Republic of Ireland Premier Division 25/08/24
D
Galway United
1
Shamrock Rovers
1
UEFA Europa League Qualifying 22/08/24
L
PAOK Salonika
4
Shamrock Rovers
0
UEFA Europa League Qualifying 15/08/24
W
NK Celje
1
Shamrock Rovers
3
Player to watch – Dean McMenamy
Dean McMenamy has been a key performer in midfield for Waterford this season and though the 22-year-old isn’t exactly a prolific presence, he did manage to score against Shamrock Rovers when the Blues beat the champions 3-1 in May.
McMenamy could be a driving force
McMenamy was booked and didn’t make the most positive impact in Waterford’s loss at Drogheda last week, though he tends to up his game in higher-profile fixtures and the all-action midfielder is likely to be a chief protagonist against Shamrock Rovers on Friday.
