Just three games took place in the League of Ireland Premier Division last Friday, after the games in both Galway and Waterford were postponed following heavy downpours shortly before kick-off. Hopefully, the weather will be kinder this week, with some huge matches scheduled to take place.
LOI TV Commentator Kieran Burke picks out his best bets for this weekends fixtures.
The latest League of Ireland betting markets can be found on the BAR 1 Betting website & App.
Sligo Rovers v Waterford FC, Sat, 7.45, LOI TV
The bottom two clash at the Showgrounds on Saturday, but the pressure is firmly on Waterford given the Blues remain as the only team in the entire country without a league victory this season. Sligo Rovers picked up a huge morale boosting win away to Bohemians last week, and could open up a seven point gap on the rock-bottom Blues with another win here.
Waterford’s late postponement against Drogheda last week was made all the more frustrating by seeing Sligo pick up a surprise win in Dublin, but Jon Daly’s side showed positive signs in their recent draws against Bohemians and Shamrock Rovers, and will be looking to build on those efforts this weekend.
This relegation six-pointer marks a meeting of the leagues lowest scorers (Sligo) and the worst defence (Waterford), but Waterford looked more assured at the back in those recent league games and now face a Sligo team who have scored just two goals at home this term.
On this week’s episode of League of Ireland Lowdown, Shane Keegan described this fixture as being the toughest of the weekend to call. With that in mind, surely there shouldn’t be such a gap between the two teams in the betting market. Sligo Rovers are currently evens with Waterford the rank outsiders at 5/2.
At the prices, Waterford represent value to pick up their first win of the season.
BEST BET: Waterford FC (5/2) +1pt
Athlone Town v Bray Wanderers, Fri, 7.45, LOI TV
A meeting of two sides that suffered defeat last time out, but this looks a better opportunity for Bray to bounce back than the hosts. Athlone Town are currently down a number of key players and those absences are telling with the Midlanders losing four of their last five fixtures.
Bray have hit a rocky patch of their own with two losses and no wins across their last three, but Saturday’s loss in Longford can be written off given the horrendous weather conditions that game was played in. Bray dominated large periods of the second half but were caught out by a Longford sucker punch.
It was a surprise to see the likes of Billie O’Neill and Richard Ferizaj on the bench in Longford, I’d expect them to come back into the XI for this one.
BEST BET: Bray Wanderers (13/10) +1pts
Dundalk FC v Galway United, Fri, 7.45, LOI TV
A meeting of the two surprise packages so far this season as fourth meets fifth at Oriel Park. Dundalk put in another excellent display last week against Derry, but they were left scratching their heads as to how they only came away with a point.
Ciarán Kilduff is doing an amazing job at Oriel Park and his Dundalk side are a joy to watch. Entertainment hasn’t always been high up on John Caulfield’s list of priorities, but his Galway side have been involved in some right pearlers of late.
The Tribesmen came from 2-0 down to defeat Drogheda last time out, following up on a 2-1 win v Derry. Just last month, United came out on the right side of a seven-goal thriller against Waterford.
Dundalk FC matches have averaged more goals than any other team this season (3.2 GPM), while Galway’s games have averaged 2.7 goals per game.
The sides played out a 2-2 draw in early March, and with both teams scoring in the last two direct meetings, this could be another entertaining watch.
BEST BET: Both Team to Score (8/11) +1pt
LOI Week 12 ACCA
- Shelbourne Draw No Bet
- Waterford Double Chance
- Bray Wanderers
- Cobh Ramblers
- ODDS: 10.70/1 (+1pt)
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