LOI TV commentator and host of Between the Stripes LOI podcast, Kieran Burke picks out his best bets for Friday’s domestic matches.
ST.PATRICK’S ATHLETIC v SHELBOURNE – FRI, 7.45, LOI TV.
League leaders Shelbourne will look to continue their unbeaten start to the season when they make the short trip to Richmond Park to tackle a St.Pat’s side who have been below par so far.
Much was expected from last season’s FAI Cup winners following a busy transfer window but pressure is already starting to mount on their boss Jon Daly after three defeats from their opening five matches.
Victory at home to Dundalk last time helped steady the ship but they didn’t beat much and the manner of the St.Pat’s performance was again underwhelming.
The Saints have failed to score more than once in any match this season while Shelbourne have kept three consecutive clean sheets and have conceded just twice all season.
Damien Duff’s men are as organised as they come and they’ll be set up to frustrate in the hope that they can have some big moments on the break.
BEST BET: Under 2.5 goals (6/10)
DUNDALK v WATERFORD – FRI, 7.45, LOI TV
Declan Devine became the first manager to lose his job this week and should Dundalk lose a fourth consecutive match on Friday then Stephen O’Donnell will be the long odds-on favourite to walk the plank next.
Dundalk have been dour so far this season and while a 1-0 loss in Richmond last week was far from a disaster, the Lilywhites really lacked attacking quality. The same can’t be said of Waterford, who despite a heavy defeat in Derry last time out, are among the top scorers in the division this season.
The arrival of veteran goalscorer Padraig Amond has given the Blues a real belief that when chances come, they will take them more often than not while Amond will be confident he can continue his strong start to the campaign given the quality of service he’s been receiving since his move to the RSC.
For a couple of seasons now, Dundalk have struggled when met with opposition who sit in and try to frustrate and you’d imagine that’s the route Waterford will go down here with their pacey midfielders and full-backs waiting to pounce and punish this weak Dundalk defence.
BEST BET: Waterford (23/10)
CORK CITY v BRAY WANDERERS – FRI, 7.45, LOI TV
I generally try to find value when writing this column every week but Cork City look like bankers here. The Rebels are the firm favourites to win the First Division and have made a good start in that mission with three wins and a draw to date.
While Tim Clancy’s side are yet to shift into top gear, the experience they have in key areas of the pitch make them very difficult to turn over at this level. Greg Bolger has won it all in this country and bossed the midfield against Longford last week while Sean Murray wouldn’t be anywhere near this low level only for injuries.
At the back, Cian Coleman is a real leader for City with their back four made up of giants. It’s no surprise they’ve conceded only once this season and that was from an individual error.
Bray Wanderers are the complete opposite in that they have plenty of talent in their ranks but structurally they are full of flaws. The Wicklow men have failed to keep a clean sheet in their three matches and have conceded six times.
Going to Turners Cross is mentally taxing especially when you know you aren’t a solid unit. Bray will create chances and might even score but Cork City will manage the game better and win as a result.
BEST BET: Cork City (15/20)