So let's have a look at the league action this weekend and put your necks on the line with some predictions!
First off, it's hard not to see anything other than a Bohs win at home to Dundalk tonight. Are we all agreed on that?
I don’t think Dundalk have a third consecutive big performance in them given all that is going on there. Throw their ever-growing injury list into the mix along with Bohs’ clean bill of health and home advantage and it should be a comfortable enough home win.
Two Bohs wins and a draw so....
Next up is Cork City and Shels. City have won the last three meetings, the past two with dramatic late goals. It's about time Shels get a result in one of the most heated rivalries of recent times?
Cork are turning Turner’s Cross into a fortress and really should have held out for a good won over champions Shamrock Rovers last week. Shels are a similar set up with a solid defence, though they will be without centre back Stephen Paisley. I’ll go for a 2-2 draw.
that should have been Sligo of course!!
I'm going for a Cork win - they're unbeaten since April but have drawn too many games and need to start winning
Derry v Shamrock Rovers - Kenny returning to the Brandywell, it's going to be very interesting. I'm gonna say a draw for this one.
The hosts are slowly returning to full fitness but are still without Stewart Greacen, Kevin Deery and Rory Patterson. Rovers have been so inconsistent and unpredictable this year it’shard to know what they’ll do. So I’ll go for a 1-1 draw!
And, last but not least, high-flying Drogheda look like dead certs to get a win at home to UCD. Apart from Sligo, they've been the best team I've seen this year. Very well organised and fully deserve to be in their current position.
There doesn't seem to be any light in the tunnel for UCD and I fully expect Drogheda to move within one point of Sligo at the top of the table - even without the influential Brennan brothers Ryan and Gavin.
Before we wrap up - will the much-changed fixture list bother Sligo?
I don't think so Alan. They know they have been the best team in the country so far and will really fancy their chances now that they are no longer 'inconvenienced' by European matters.
Great stuff guys, we'll see how good our predictions are later tonight! Slán