Another thrilling weekend of action lies ahead in the League of Ireland with only three points separating the top seven teams in the Premier Division. In the First Division, while Dundalk remain unbeaten after 12 matches, Bray Wanderers and Cobh Ramblers are beginning to emerge as serious challengers to the Lilywhites promotion charge.
Despite the wonderfully unpredictable nature of the leagues so far this season, LOI TV Commentator Kieran Burke has still managed to yield a level stakes profit of €9.58 to this point. The Between the Stripes LOI podcast host has more bets lined up for this gameweek.
DERRY CITY v SHELBOURNE, Fri, 7.45, LOI TV
The league’s draw specialists Shelbourne picked up another good point on the road last Friday as they came away from Tallaght Stadium with plenty of credit following a thrilling tie. Shelbourne, often viewed as a very defensive outfit, really took the game to the Hoops last time out with a 2-2 scoreline coming up for the third Shels match in succession.
As pointed out in last week’s column, the Reds only shipped 27 goals in the entirety of last season but after just 12 games this term they’ve already allowed 12 goals by. The absence of veteran defender Paddy Barrett is definitely a factor in those figures while goalkeeper Conor Kearns will be disappointed with some of the goals he’s been beaten by in recent weeks.
More positively though, Mipo Odubeko has looked very lively up front in recent weeks while last season’s star striker Sean Boyd will soon be available again having missed the trip to Tallaght with a very minor injury picked up in training.
Derry City looked to be heading in the right direction after convincing victories against Galway United and Sligo Rovers but Friday’s defeat to managerless Waterford was another backward step taken by the Candystripes.
Shelbourne embarrassed Derry in front of the TV cameras on the opening night and with Damien Duff’s team unbeaten in seven matches I see no reason for this game to be priced the way it is.
BEST BET: Shelbourne draw no bet (8/5) +1pt
ST.PATRICK’S ATHLETIC v GALWAY UNITED, Fri, 7.45, LOI TV
Having scored a late equaliser in their Dublin derby against Shamrock Rovers recently, St.Patrick’s Athletic were given a taste of their own medicine by Bohemians on Friday as the Gypsies scored two goals on 90′ & 97′ to come from behind and claim a 2-1 win at Dalymount Park.
The Saints were given a handy opening into the game on 23 minutes when the referee awarded what looked to be a very harsh penalty against the home side, a penalty which was duly dispatched by former Bohs man Chris Forrester.
However, St.Pat’s recent defensive vulnerabilities were once again exposed in the second half with Stephen Kenny’s men now without a win in three matches and with just one win across their last five games.
Galway United enjoyed a much happier Friday night as they became just the second side to defeat surprise league leaders Drogheda. Moses Dyer again proved to be the Galway inspiration with a scrappy yet invaluable brace to take his recent goals haul to four scored in his last two matches and seven goals in elven total appearances.
Patrick Hickey bagged a brace when the Tribesmen turned the Saints over 2-1 back in February and given they are unbeaten on the road this season, Galway United appear overpriced here.
BEST BET: Galway United draw no bet (11/5) +1pt
ATHLONE TOWN v DUNDALK, Fri, 7.45, LOI TV
Dundalk enjoyed a trip to Athlone’s neighbors Longford on Saturday as the Lilywhites scored three unanswered second half goals to remain unbeaten and they should enjoy a swift return to the Midlands on Friday.
Dundalk manager Ciaran Kilduff had spoken of his concern regarding his teams lack of efficiency in front of goal before the trip to Bishopsgate last weekend, and while Eoin Kenny was guilty of spurning a glorious first half opportunity, his players showed no mercy to struggling Longford in the second half with last season’s top marksman at this level Dean Ebbe helping himself to a brace.
Ebbe, who signed from Athlone in the winter, had come under some criticism from supporters in recent weeks but he was back to his old best against his old side last time and should be licking his lips at the prospect of facing another of his former employers here.
Athlone Town have been in rag order this season and find themselves joint second bottom in the standings at present. Currently without a head coach even when they did have one the Westmeath outfit looked an incredibly poorly organised side and that has continued since Dario Castelo’s departure.
Athlone Town have scored just SIX goals from 12 matches played while they’ve conceded three times as many. Dundalk picked apart a poor Longford team last time out and there is very little between the two Midlands rivals as illustrated by a pair of 1-1 draws between them this season.
This should be like taking candy from a baby for Dundalk but one note of caution is the possibility for some good news out of Lissywoolen this week. From what I understand, there could be some positive news regarding new ownership at the club this week and that may also pave the way for the appointment of a new manager.
However, whoever goes in there will have a major job on their hands and this Dundalk test is likely to come far too soon.
BEST BET: Dundalk (1/2) +2pts
LONGFORD TOWN v WEXFORD FC, Sat, 7.30, LOI TV
Having been shown some signs of encouragement earlier in the season it’s now starting to appear as if this will be another long and trying season for Longford Town supporters. De Town claimed two wins in a three match period last month but they’ve since gone winless in six, losing four.
On top of that, Longford have scored just three times during that spell and only four a fortunate injury time equaliser away to Athlone on Easter Monday their record would read even less favorably.
From being hard to break down earlier in the campaign, Longford have appeared flat and easy to play against in recent weeks with Bray putting four past them on Good Friday while Dundalk handed the Midlanders their heaviest home defeat of the season last Saturday. Cobh have also sunk Longford 5-0 this year.
Wexford are another side who have scored heavily against Longford this season with Stephen Elliott’s charges beating De Town 3-1 earlier this month at Ferrycarrig Park. Consistency has been the issue for Wexford as they’ve won as many games as they’ve lost.
However, such a theme is unsurprising given the youthful makeup of Elliott’s side. Players like Kaylem Harnett, Ryan Kelly, Zayd Abada and Calum Flynn are all thriving under the guidance of the former Ireland international.
A front two of Mikie Row and Aaron Dobbs ensures there is still plenty of wise heads around the place and that blend of youthful and experience should see Wexford claim another three points on Saturday.
BET BET: Wexford FC (19/20) +2pts