With the Premier Division clubs on an international break, LOI TV Commentator & host of Between the Stripes LOI podcast Kieran Burke has turned his attention to the LOI First Division for this week’s betting column. Kieran is currently +6.63 with his LOI stakes this season.
DUNDALK FC v LONGFORD TOWN FC – Fri, 7.45, LOI TV
Dundalk appeared to lift the handbrake last Friday as the Lilywhites scored three times in just over 30 minutes to cruise to a 3-1 victory away to Bray Wanderers. Having won their opening three games of the season 1-0 Dundalk let a late 2-0 leads slip at home to Treaty United prior to their comfortable victory in Wicklow to remain top of the table and unbeaten after five matches.
Ciaran Kilduff’s men are the only full-time team in the division and that professionalism should show as the season goes on.
Longford Town edged a five-goal thriller at home to Kerry FC on Saturday night but De Town were somewhat fortuitous to claim their first victory of the season as the Kingdom blazed a last-gasp penalty over the bar and also had a man sent off at Bishopsgate.
Wayne Groves side have now conceded 9 goals in their four league matches played and with Dundalk starting to click in front of goal this should be a walk in the park for the title favourites.
BEST BET: Dundalk -2 (15/8) 2pts
UCD AFC v TREATY UNITED – Fri, 7.45, LOI TV
Treaty United have had an amazing start to the season but things could look even brighter for the Limerick men only for the concession of a number of late goals in the opening weeks of the campaign. Having been handed a man advantage against Wexford on Friday Tommy Barrett’s team were pushing for a breakthrough goal only to get caught on the counter late on.
On the opening weekend of the season Treaty chucked away a 2-0 lead at home to Cobh Ramblers who scored two 90th minute goals to leave Limerick with a 3-2 win. Treaty did earn some compensation recently when they scored two goals in the final four minutes to earn a point away to title favourites Dundalk who lost their 100% on the night. The morale of the story, don’t leave early or tune out promptly when Treaty United are in action. Overall, wins against Athlone Town (5-0) and Finn Harps (3-1) have helped make up a cracking start for the underdogs.
If Treaty United have perhaps overperformed well UCD have underperformed with the fancied Students sitting second from bottom and they are one of just two winless teams after four matches. A challenging playing surface at the UCD Bowl isn’t helping matters and Treaty United’s direct and physical approach could cause problems for the College.
UCD look extremely short at Evens but they do have quality players in their squad who should be able to gather things up as the season develops so a draw no bet play on the visitors may be the angle value here.
BEST BET: Treaty United draw no bet (11/8) 1pt
AT A GLANCE
Just to give a couple of quick lines on the weekends other matches, Cobh Ramblers weren’t overly convincing away to bottom side Finn Harps last week so 4/5 looks a tad short at home to an unpredictable Athlone team who did beat UCD last time out.
Finn Harps and Bray Wanderers look like two very limited sides this season, the hosts will be relying on set-pieces a lot this term while Bray are a young side who may struggle for goals, this could be low scoring.
Wexford have had an up and down start but given how Kerry defended against Longford Stephen Elliott’s team are sure to be targeting this home fixture for maximum points. Again though, 4/5 looks a tad skinny given Kerry have improved their squad and may have some key players returning from injury.
A €20 double on Kieran’s two best bets could return €132.