Following a dark week for Irish football, which contained a disastrous start to Heimir Hallgrรญmsson’s reign in charge of the national team, and the news that Dundalk FC’s future in the league is under major threat, LOI TV Commentator & host of the hugely popular Between the Stripes LOI podcast, Kieran Burke aims to lift spirits by picking out some winning bets for the weekend ahead. Last week’s column turned a profit for those who followed.
WATERFORD FC v DUNDALK FC – Fri, 7.45, LOI TV
Putting all the off-field turmoil at Dundalk to one side, the Lilywhites Premier Division status looks highly doubtful following last Thursday’s latest defeat at home to St.Pat’s. The Saints were way off the pace in the first half and in fairness to Dundalk, they took advantage by scoring early and going in at the break leading 1-0.
However, Stephen Kenny soon made the tweaks required to hurt his old team with St.Pat’s totally dominating the second forty-five and running out deserving 1-2 winners.
Dundalk’s on-field issues are clear, their on-loan Blackburn goalkeeper Felix Goddard is a complete calamity and needs to be replaced, yet, Jon Daly continues to persist with the 20-year-old between the posts.
Meanwhile, at the other end of the park, Dundalk simply can’t score. The Louthmen are the lowest scorers across both divisions with Jamie Gullan their top goalscorer this season with just five goals. Dundalk’s failure to strengthen significantly in the summer transfer window is likely to cost them their place in the top-flight.
Waterford must capatilise on Dundalk’s instability if the Blues are to reignite their top four hopes. Keith Long’s side have lost four of their last five but there was positive news out of the RSC this week as the leagues second highest scorer Padraig Amond committed his future to the Munster men by signing a new deal.
Amond, who has netted 11 league goals this season, will be relishing the opportunity to face a Dundalk defence who must be lacking in confidence given the performances of the man behind them in nets.
Dundalk’s visit to the RSC should also be welcomed by the hosts given they are unbeaten across all three meetings this term and their last four H2H’s in total given Waterford knocked Dundalk out of the FAI Cup last season while the Blues were still a First Division outfit.
Astonishingly, newly promoted Waterford have scored more goals this season than three of the top four teams in the Premier Division. With that firepower, Waterford should blow troubled Dundalk away.
BEST BET: Waterford @ 4/5
ATHLONE TOWN v DROGHEDA UNITED – FAI Cup QF, Fri, 7.45, LOI TV
A few weeks ago, many were viewing this fixture as a potential banana skin for relegation-threatened Drogheda. However, Athlone Town have suddenly lost their mojo in the LOI First Division with the Midlanders losing their last four matches and going on a six-match winless streak in the second tier.
Despite sitting second from bottom in the top-flight, there’s a good vibe surrounding this Drogheda team at present with Kevin Doherty’s men suffering just one loss in their last seven matches in all competitions (excluding Leinster Senior Cup) with the Boynesiders bagging 17 goals in their last three matches.
The summer arrival of striker Douglas James Taylor on loan from Walsall and an upsurge in form from former Athlone striker Frantz Pierrot has given the Drogs a real menacing feel in front of goal and given some of the soft goals Athlone have been conceding of late, the Premier Division clash should shine through.
BEST BET: Drogheda -1 (15/8) NAP
WATCH OUT FOR:
The live game on tele this weekend comes from the Ryan McBride Brandywell as title rivals Derry City and Shelbourne go toe to toe in the last eight of the FAI Cup. As much as both sets of players and supporters would love a big day out at the Aviva Stadium, the league is the be all and end all this season for both of these clubs given how long they’ve both gone without a LOI title.
Derry haven’t played since the 30th of August while Shelbourne had to play a rearranged league game during the international break. That match was the 1-1 draw at Dalymount Park against Dublin rivals Bohemians. Derry City should be the fresher side while I believe there’s more importance on this fixture for the hosts than the visitors given Derry are the team playing catch up in the league, they need this win for their own mental encouragement.
There won’t be a whole pile if anything between the teams on the day but I do fancy Derry to find a way past Shelbourne on the day. However, at 19/20 I’ll not be investing.
Elsewhere, Bray Wanderers, who never replaced Head Coach Ian Ryan following his mid-season exit from the club, are now without one of their caretakers following Lorcan Fitzgerald’s sudden departure at the weekend.
Fitzgerald’s last act was to be sent off from the touchline during Friday’s dismal defeat away to bottom side Longford. Bray are a strange club, they keep their cards close to their chest much to the frustration of their long suffering fans and a crisis never seems too far away.
With Finn Harps finding form in recent weeks, Bray may soon find their play-off place under threat. The Wicklow club play away to in-form Wexford on Tuesday night. Regardless of what happens to Wexford in this Friday’s FAI Cup Quarter-Final at home to Treaty United, I’d have to fancy Wexford to pile more misery on Bray early next week. There are no markets available on that game just yet but keep an eye out as the early bird often catches the juiciest worm.
Until next week, best of luck and safe punting.
Kieran.