Sligo Rovers v St.Patrick’s Athletic – Fri, 7.45, LOI TV
Kieran Burke, LOI TV Commentator & host of Between the Stripes LOI podcast, has picked up three best bets for this week’s League of Ireland matches as he seeks to add to his level stakes profit of +3.58 so far this season.
Sligo Rovers v St.Patrick’s Athletic – Fri, 7.45, LOI TV
St.Patrick’s Athletic are so far failing to match the lofty expectations many had for Stephen Kenny’s side this season. The Saints have won just 7 of their 18 matches with just one win in their last five. While Sligo Rovers have picked up just one win in their past six games, the Bit O’Red have performed well in many of those matches with a change of fortunes perhaps on the way.
Surprisingly, it’s been at home where Sligo Rovers have struggled most winning just one of their eight games at the Showgrounds and losing five, but St.Pat’s away form is only slightly better with two wins and six losses from nine road matches.
Both teams are being hampered by giving away soft goals so it’s not a surprise their previous meeting contained no fewer than seven goals as St.Pat’s ran out 4-3 winners at Richmond Park back in late February.
However, St.Pat’s have won just two of their last eight visits to Sligo and at odds-on the Dubliners look far too short here given their current form.
BEST BET: Sligo Rovers draw no bet (2/1) +1pt.
Cork City v Shelbourne – Fri, 7.45, LOI TV
Champions Shelbourne got a much needed win at home to Sligo Rovers last time out but Damien Duff’s men must now travel to Sligo’s relegation rivals Cork City for a potentially tricky tie this Friday night. City, like Sligo, have had no issues scoring goals of late (they’ve scored in seven straight games) but they simply can not keep the back door locked.
Shelbourne, who were so solid defensively last season, have also had issues with defensive leaks this term with the absence of Paddy Barrett proving key at the heart of Shels defence. With Seani Maguire recently returning from injury and new signing Djenario Daniels hitting the ground running (4 goals in his last 3 matches) Shelbourne could be set for more defensive woes in front of a packed out Turners Cross.
City took a point from the game in Tolka Park and look value for another positive result here.
BEST BET: Cork City draw no bet (8/5) +1pt
Kerry FC v Longford Town – Fri, 7.45, LOI TV
These are two teams on different trajectories both on and off the pitch presently. Kerry, the babyfaces in the league, have seen major financial investment go into the club recently with the appointment of former Ireland Women’s National Team assistant Colin Healy as manager a real show of ambition from the Kingdom.
Kerry FC only picked up 10 points in their maiden season in 2023 but almost rebled that tally last season to 27 points while they currently sit on 14 points after just 15 games this term. Performances during Healy’s first two games in charge, a draw against Wexford in a game they should have won and a plucky 2-0 defeat away to Dundalk, bode well for the remainder of the campaign.
Kerry’s squad is also far stronger than it has been in previous season’s but with Healy now in the building you can expect further incomings during the summer window I’m sure.
As for Longford Town, the two-time FAI Cup winners sit second-bottom in the division and appear to be totally uncompetitive once again this year. Their latest result, a 5-1 defeat away to Treaty, further illustrates that Longford are not the force of old at this level with fears about the club’s long-term future in the league mounting as a result.
Attendances are on the floor, the budget is among the smallest in the league and the squad greatly lacks experience. Friday’s hammering in Limerick wasn’t Longford’s first of the year (5-0 away to Cobh, 4-0 away to Bray) and without an away win in almost a full year it’s impossible to see how a turnaround can start here.
Kerry look insanely good value at 4/5 but I’d advise against a handicap bet given Kerry’s lack of efficiently in front of goals recently. The Munster men missed a glut of chances, including a penalty, against Wexford and they were the better side in the first half against Dundalk only for two wondergoals from the hosts to undo Kerry’s stellar work.
Kerry’s fortunes in front of goal will improve once star striker Ryan Kelliher returns from injury.
BEST BET: Kerry FC (4/5) +3pts NAP.