- Finn Harps FC have lost their last five matches, scoring only five goals during that time.
- Athlone Town FC have won three of their last five, suffering only two defeats in that period.
- Finn Harps FC have conceded 23 goals in 14 First Division 2026 home fixtures.
Harps in a mess
10th-placed Finn Harps have had a woeful season so far, claiming just 22 points from 29 First Division 2026 matches, and they come into this match fresh off five straight defeats, while they have also lost their previous two games at Finn Park.
David Rogers' men have been in a defensive mode all season, sitting deep and looking to nick chances on the break or from set pieces, so this is unlikely to be an open affair.
Athlone Town are the slight favourites at 71/100, but with Finn Harps available at 163/50 and the draw at 129/50, the match result market makes little sense at first glance.
The Town have been in better form than Harps though, winning their last two matches, beating Wexford FC 2-0 away and then claiming a 2-0 victory over Bray Wanderers AFC in their home turf.
Town have a chance
Sean O'Connor's men play higher-tempo football than Harps, who sit deep, with the Town offering more pressure out wide and plenty of crosses into the box. That should see them get on top of Finn Park more than the hosts would like.
The Town are 7th on 37 points after 29 matches, so they are a very inconsistent outfit, but they have more of a form edge going into Friday's clash and they should edge it.
The main goal threat has been Peter Grogan of late, with three goals from his last five games, a purple patch which contributed to his current nine-goal season for the Town.
Athlone's away numbers are 0.79 goals scored and 1.43 conceded per First Division 2026 game, so they will keep it tight at the back while Harps, who have conceded 23 at home in this division, will be vulnerable to any quality on the ball.
Harps' talisman has been Shaunie Bradley, with two goals scored in their five-goal run over the past five, so this should be a low-scoring affair with neither likely to cut loose. Under 2.5 goals at 99/100 and Both Teams To Score - No at 21/20 look live angles for this one.
