Shamrock Rovers can return to the top of the Premier Division on Friday night. Stephen Bradley's side host Waterford at Tallaght Stadium in an 8pm kick-off, aiming to bounce back after being knocked off the summit by St Patrick's Athletic earlier this week.

The Hoops currently sit second, on 59 points from 31 games, and a victory would put pressure on the leaders. Their recent form has been inconsistent, with just one win in their last five league outings. That solitary victory was a dramatic 3-2 win over this same Waterford side just last week, where John McGovern scored a late brace to secure the points.

Waterford manager Graham Coughlan acknowledged the challenge ahead, labelling Rovers as the standard-bearers. "Shamrock Rovers are still the benchmark in the league," Coughlan said. "They’re still the main team in Ireland, and have been for the last number of years, so hats off to Stephen Bradley and the job him and his staff have done."

Stakes for both sides

For the visitors, the stakes could not be higher. A defeat for Waterford, combined with a Sligo Rovers win over St Patrick's Athletic, would confirm their relegation from the top flight this weekend. Coughlan has urged his team to rise to the occasion against the best. "If you want to be the best, you have to beat the best," he added. "First and foremost, you have to compete with them and then you have to beat them."

Shamrock Rovers will be without defenders Jordan Houston and Will Johnson due to injury, adding to the absence of Enda Stevens. Bradley will likely look to top scorer Rory Gaffney, who has nine goals this season, to lead the line. The full list of available players is on the club's squad page.

The match will be broadcast live on LOITV for subscribers. A win would be a significant boost for Rovers as they look to build momentum ahead of their next fixture, a home game against Drogheda United on October 9th. The league standings show a tight title race, making every point vital in the final weeks of the season.

Shamrock Rovers last faced Drogheda in a goalless draw at the end of July, a result they will be keen to improve upon. Friday's focus, however, is solely on securing three points against a Waterford side fighting for survival.

Read the full report at irishmirror.ie