The 2 biggest games in world football tonight aren't being played in Brazil, they're being played in Oriel Park and Tallaght Stadium. Here's your SSE Airtricity League preview for Week 14.
1) Can the challengers dethrone the champions?
The meeting between Dundalk and St Patrick's Athletic tonight isn't just the league leaders hosting the champions, it's also the two most exciting teams in the league facing off. Between them they've scored 80 goals in 16 games played each. That 2.5 average goals scored compares to 1.1 goals scored in the rest of the league. 4 of those Dundalk goals came in the 4-1 thrashing of Pats in Inchicore. Pats will be going all out for revenge tonight. It'll be a tough ask though as Pats aren't nearly as good away (no wins in 3) as they are at home (averaging over 4 goals in last 5 wins). Dundalk have won 6 of 8 at home (and average over 3 goals a game). Both sides are missing important defenders tonight with Andy Boyle suspended (eventually) and Sean Hoare injured for Pats. Dundalk know a win tonight would leave them 9 ahead of Pats and less than half the season to come. Their attacking players are certainly on form (Daryl Horgan has scored in his last 5 games) and if they can stop Fagan and Byrne (more goals for this pair than 9 of the division's clubs), they will be sitting pretty going into the break
2) Who's more for real, Rovers or Cork?
4th hosting 2nd in Tallaght stadium in tonight's other big game. Both teams have a game in hand over Dundalk and Pats and a win here could see either side finish the first half of the season in 2nd place. Cork City have won 5 of their 7 away games this season but the 2 losses were against Dundalk and Pats. Can they get a win away at the other top 4 team tonight? Rovers have only played the other top 4 teams away this season and have a point to show for their travels to Cork, Dundalk and Inchicore. The good news, starting tonight, is that they have those teams in Tallaght in this round of fixtures and 3 wins would be huge. Let's see if they can get one tonight.
3) Will Sligo's recovery start tonight?
Knocked out of the cup and the same amount off bottom as they are off top (17), Sligo Rovers are in unfamiliar territory. They still have Europa League football to come (and will be seeded for the first time ever) but are they already at a stage of planning for next season? With at least 2 of the top 4 losing points tonight, a win for Sligo over Derry City will edge them closer to that top 4 and a potential European spot. With so many talented players, you'd expect Sligo to do all they can to get into Europe again.
4) Who needs the win more, Athlone or Drogheda?
Drogheda United have lost 9 of the at 10 league games. They've conceded 19 in the last 4 alone. Even last week in the Cup they were given a fright by the Ulster Senior League's Cockhill Celtic. Due to their excellent start (3 wins, 3 draws) they're still in 9th place but a loss tonight could see manager Robbie Horgan in trouble during the break. Athlone Town have already swapped managers this season. They got their first win 2 games ago but that's the only game in 7 that they have scored in. They were dumped out of the FAI Cup by local rivals Longford Town last weekend. That isn't close to be being the most embarrassing thing the club have done this week. Both sides are as desperate as each other for a win tonight.
5) Can Bohs get away from the relegation play off spot?
Bohs had a great win in the FAI Cup last week in Limerick but they remain 2nd from bottom in the league with only 2 wins all season. We'll repeat this stat until it changes but only Jason Byrne (3) has scored a league goal for Bohs in over 2 months (since the 7th April). Tonight they travel to Bray Wanderers who have more clean sheets (8) than any other club but who have only scored once themselves in the last 5. This game is likely to be tight but a win for Bray will leave Bohs in the play-off spot and Bray maybe pushing for top 6 again.
Whatever happens, enjoy the games!
