- Cork City have won 13, drawn none and lost only 3 of their 16 home games in First Division 2026.
- Cork City and University College Dublin FC have not drawn any of their last 3 meetings.
- University College Dublin FC are winless in their last 2 away games against Cork City.
First Division 2026 leaders host the chasing Students
Cork City FC will try to continue their excellent home form on Friday when they host University College Dublin FC, who will be hoping to improve on the last two games between the sides.
The Rebel Army are top of First Division 2026 on 68 points from 31 games, while the Students are right behind them on 49 points from 31.
UCD came out 5-2 winners at home to Cork City FC in the First Division 2026 7 weeks ago and have not won any of their last 2 away games against Cork City.
Cork City are the overwhelming favourites at 12/25 in this one with UCD available at 26/5 and the draw at 33/10.
Gerard Nash's Cork City have been a high-octane side since he took over in May 2025.
The Rebel Army play a 4-2-3-1 system, press high and are quick in transition - a real contrast to Andy Myler's UCD team, who use a 3-4-2-1 system and are usually more compact in possession while maintaining pressure in layers.
And that chess match should play out on Friday, with Cork City looking to make UCD make mistakes, while the visitors will look to hold their shape and try to slow the game down.
That type of fixture should suit the hosts more, but UCD are capable of pulling off a result, and the fact that they have drawn their last two - a 1-1 draw away at Cobh Ramblers and a 2-2 draw at home to Athlone Town - suggest this could be close.
A late wobble has seen Cork's last 2 results be a 0-1 away draw and a 2-3 home defeat to the Cobh Ramblers, but they were on a decent run prior to those results.
UCD boss Myler has a knack for moulding talented young players into a disciplined team, as he has done since coming to the college in December 2019, and he has made the Students into a real force in the First Division 2026.
The Dublin side have been a bit patchier on the road with 4 wins, 5 draws and 6 losses from 15 trips, but they have averaged 1.33 goals per game on their travels and conceded 1.40, so we can expect them to contribute to an exciting contest at Turner's Cross.
Cork City's home record has been excellent in the First Division 2026, with only 3 defeats in 16, and they have conceded just 17 goals - an average of 1.06 per game - at their home.
Sean Maguire is Cork City's talisman with 6 of their last 10 goals in 5 games, while Charles Akinrintayo has been the spark for UCD with 3 of their most recent 10 goals in 5 fixtures.
The home side should have enough to nick this and they are the right price at 12/25, but with the visitors on a 2-game draw streak and the top-two chasing the title, this should be a tense and competitive game.
The draw is the right play, but Over 2.5 goals at 12/25 is also a good price for what should be a lively fixture.
