The halfway point is upon us as the League of Ireland Premier Division heads into the summer break with a full round of fixtures scheduled for this evening. 

The standout tie of the round is at Dalymount Park as fourth-place Bohemians host third-place Derry City.

Shamrock Rovers have pulled clear at the top, and they host Galway United, as the Tribesmen look to make it back-to-back wins.

They are also intriguing ties at the RSC, Turner’s Cross and the Showgrounds. The Deck offers previews and predictions on each of the fixtures below.

League of Ireland Matchday 18 Previews and Predictions

Bohemians vs Derry City

The Candystripes won the first meeting at the Brandywell thanks to a goal from Michael Duffy in an evenly-matched contest.

Tiernan Lynch’s side have impressed in recent weeks and have picked up 16 points from the last 24 available.

It is a similar case for Bohs as they have won six and lost two of their last eight fixtures, and there appears to be little to separate these two sides on paper.

The home team have a wealth of talent in midfield and out wide with the likes of Dawson Devoy, Ross Tierney and Dayle Rooney to call upon, but they do lack a goalscorer in attack.

Derry City do have the aforementioned Duffy and have seen Danny Mullen and Liam Boyce chip in with goals, so they are not short on goal threats.

However, this Bohs team should make home advantage count in what should be a close encounter.

Cork City vs Shelbourne

Ger Nash has extensive experience in several footballing roles but takes charge of his first senior home match at Turner’s Cross against the champions.

The goal at the moment must be to stay above Sligo Rovers in last place and add some quality additions in the summer, as Cork City are lightweight in squad depth.

The current League of Ireland Premier Division title holders, Shelbourne, have had a mixed start as Damien Duff’s side’s performances have not yielded a string of impressive results to date.

They are missing the influence of last season’s top scorer Sean Boyd, and a trip to Cork City, who are embarking on a new era, may not be high on the manager’s wish list.

Shels are winless in five on the road and failed to beat the Rebel Army at Tolka Park in March.

However, this Shelbourne side has too much quality to see anything other than an away win. If the League of Ireland champions can click in attack, they should dispatch Cork City comfortably.

Sligo Rovers vs St. Patrick’s Athletic

The Bit o’ Red impressed in their 3-2 defeat at Tolka Park last week, but much like the situation at Cork City, they appear cut off and destined for a battle with the Rebel Army for a relegation play-off finish.

John Russell has a decent squad with a lot of young players, but they have lost too many key individuals and are not on the same level as last season.

They face a tough encounter with St. Patrick’s Athletic, but will be optimistic they can get a result against a side that has lost their last four on the road.

The two clubs played out a seven-goal thriller at Richmond Park in February, but Rovers might just avenge that defeat at the Showgrounds this Friday.

Stephen Kenny’s team have won just two in nine in all competitions and are miles away from the team that appeared to be title favourites at the start of the campaign.

It might click into place for them later in the campaign, but they are not there yet, and recent performances have indicated that Rovers are due a big win.

Waterford vs Drogheda United

The RSC hosts a clash of two sides that appear to be on an upward trajectory. The appointment of John Coleman at Waterford elevates a team that looked destined to be among the bottom two places just two months ago.

However, a run of form that has included four wins and a draw from six matches has demonstrated that this team can play to a higher level than previously in the League of Ireland campaign.

Drogheda United remain the leaders of the chasing pack behind table-toppers Shamrock Rovers.

Kevin Doherty has arguably the hardest-working team in the Premier Division, but they had struggled to pick up victories of late before the win over Bohemians.

The return to form of match-winner Douglas James-Taylor will be a major boost as the Walsall loanee is one of the best strikers in the top flight.

That added firepower should see them remain in the hunt at the top of the table, and they are unbeaten in the last three head-to-heads without conceding a goal.

Expect that run to continue this evening.

Shamrock Rovers vs Galway United

It is looking rather ominous for the rest of the teams in the League of Ireland Premier Division in relation to the Hoops’ title charge.

It is now five consecutive wins and seven matches unbeaten for Stephen Bradley’s talented squad, and they do not look as if they are going to let up.

Shamrock Rovers have been beaten twice by rivals Bohemians and ran into an inspired Sligo Rovers at the Showgrounds in early March.

Apart from those encounters, they look a cut above the rest and should continue their winning run at Tallaght Stadium.

Galway United ended a four-game losing streak by dispatching Cork City late on last Friday, but it would be a major surprise if they ended a 20-game winless run stretching back to 2006 against the Hoops.

Home win is the most likely outcome here.