MATCH OVERVIEW
St. Patrick's Athletic and Cork City are gearing up for a crucial League of Ireland match that could have significant implications for their season trajectories. St. Patrick's Athletic, currently enjoying a strong home form, will be looking to extend their dominance at Richmond Park. Meanwhile, Cork City, known for their resilience, will aim to defy the odds and secure a vital away victory.
ODDS ANALYSIS
The odds favor St. Patrick's Athletic with a 1.42 chance of winning, translating to a 70.4% probability. The draw is priced at 4.4, offering a 22.7% chance, while Cork City's odds of 6.89 suggest a 14.5% probability of an upset. Given these odds, St. Patrick's Athletic is expected to emerge victorious, but Cork City's potential for a surprise result should not be underestimated.
TEAM ANALYSIS
St. Patrick's Athletic
- Current Form: St. Patrick's Athletic has been consistent, with an average of 1.36 goals per match and a solid defensive record, conceding only 0.86 goals per game.
- Strengths: High possession rate (56%), effective dribbling (19.64 successful dribbles), and strong passing accuracy (350.07 successful passes).
- Weaknesses: Vulnerable to dangerous own half losses (5.07 per match).
Cork City
- Current Form: Cork City has shown attacking prowess with a 50% over 2.5 goals rate and a high both teams to score percentage (85.71%).
- Strengths: High interception rate (52.5 per match) and competitive dueling (119.79 successful duels).
- Weaknesses: Defensive frailties, conceding 1.64 goals per match.
Head-to-Head
St. Patrick's Athletic has historically had the upper hand in this fixture, but Cork City's recent form suggests they could pose a significant challenge.
KEY PLAYERS SPOTLIGHT
St. Patrick's Athletic
- Aidan Keena: Top scorer with 5 goals, crucial for breaking down Cork City's defense.
- Chris Forrester: Creative force with 4 goals, instrumental in midfield.
Cork City
- Kitt Nelson: Leading scorer with 4 goals, key to Cork City's attacking strategy.
- Ruairi Keating: Adds depth to the forward line with 3 goals.
STATISTICAL DEEP DIVE
Offensive Metrics
- St. Patrick's Athletic: Average 12.29 shots per match, with 4 on target.
- Cork City: Average 10.36 shots per match, with 3.14 on target.
Defensive Metrics
- St. Patrick's Athletic: Strong defensive record with 36.79 interceptions.
- Cork City: High clearance rate (9.93 per match) but vulnerable to conceding.
PREDICTION AND CONCLUSION
St. Patrick's Athletic is favored to win, backed by their superior home form and statistical advantages. Key factors include their possession dominance and effective dribbling. Cork City's chances hinge on exploiting defensive lapses and maximizing their attacking opportunities.
Final Score Prediction: St. Patrick's Athletic 2-1 Cork City Half Time Score Prediction: St. Patrick's Athletic 1-0 Cork City Both Teams to Score Probability: 60% Over 2.5 Goals Probability: 55%