With the English Premier League all wrapped up for another season, some top-flight football can be found just across the pond in Ireland as the campaign is in full flow. Cork City travel to St Patrick’s on Friday night as both sides can move up the table.

STATS

• After finishing last season in 8^th, St Patrick’s are on course for a higher finish this time around. They currently sit 5^th with eyes firmly fixed on overtaking teams rather than being overtaken. They were in action on Tuesday where they were beaten 3-0 by Shamrock Rovers, the side below them in the table. This came on the back of an emphatic 5-2 win over Derry City.
• Cork are looking to defend the title they won in style last season but it’s last term’s runners-up, Dundalk who are the only side above them in the table with two more points. However, Cork have a game-in-hand where victory would put them top. They could only manage a below-par goalless draw with Derry last time out.
• St Patrick’s have benefitted from their American influence in the box this term as Jake Keegan is their leading scorer with five goals.
• Graham Cummins has been Cork’s sharpest shooter so far this season with eight league goals, fifth in the leaderboard for the golden boot.

HEAD TO HEAD

Cork have certainly dominated their recent encounters with St Patrick’s as they have won five of the last six league meetings between the two. When they met just over a month ago, it was Cork who came out on top, winning a very tight game 1-0 thanks to Cummins’ only goal. In the last six meetings in all competitions, St Pats have scored in just two.

ST PATRICKS NEWS

With Waterford and Derry (the two sides above St Patrick’s) facing each other on Friday, the hosts can only move into 4^th with a win. They don’t have any injury worries heading into the game.

Latest matches: Saint Patrick's Athletic FC

22.05.2018	Prem	Shamrock Rovers FC	Saint Patrick's Athletic FC	3:0	L
18.05.2018	Prem	Saint Patrick's Athletic FC	Derry City FC	5:2	W
15.05.2018	Prem	Saint Patrick's Athletic FC	Sligo Rovers FC	2:0	W
11.05.2018	Prem	Limerick FC	Saint Patrick's Athletic FC	0:1	W
04.05.2018	Prem	Saint Patrick's Athletic FC	Shamrock Rovers FC	2:0	W

CORK CITY NEWS

It’s very unlikely that Dundalk will slip up against bottom of the table Bray Wanderers but if they do, Cork will go top if they can secure three points. Both Gearoid Morrissey and John Dunleavy have returned to training this week so should be fit to at least make the bench.

Latest matches: Cork City FC

21.05.2018	Prem	Limerick FC	Cork City FC	0:2	W
18.05.2018	Prem	Cork City FC	Bray Wanderers AFC	4:0	W
11.05.2018	Prem	Derry City FC	Cork City FC	0:0	D
05.05.2018	Prem	Cork City FC	Limerick FC	2:1	W
30.04.2018	Prem	Shamrock Rovers FC	Cork City FC	3:0	L

SUMMARY

When the champions come to town, it’s rare that you’re seen as favourites and this is no different as St Patrick’s are the underdogs for this one. Cork should have far too much quality to overcome them on Friday night but St Pats shouldn’t be completely ruled out on their own patch.