LOI TV Commentator Kieran Burke almost landed the clean sweep last week with three of his four selections proving successful and boosting his level stakes profit for the season. The Between the Stripes LOI podcast host is now showing a P/L of +4.83pts across the campaign. Here’s a look at his selections for this weekend.
SLIGO ROVERS v DERRY CITY, Sat, 7.45, LOI TV
Two wins and two draws in their last five games has seen Sligo Rovers open up a five-point gap over Cork City at the foot of the LOI Premier Division table. The Bit O’Red raced into a 2-0 lead at home to champions elect Shamrock Rovers on Saturday before the Hoops came back to claim a share of the spoils in a thrilling contest that either team could have won.
The emergence of teenage striking sensation Owen Elding along with the arrival of winger Ryan O’Kane on loan from Shelbourne gives Sligo plenty of bite in the final third.
Cutting edge is certainly something Derry City haven’t lacked of late as the Candystripes put SEVEN past Waterford last time out. On current form, there’s an argument to be made that Michael Duffy is the best player in the entire league while the likes of Gavin Whyte and Liam Boyce have finally started to deliver after a slow start at their new club.
Despite the fact that Derry City have kept clean sheets in three of their last four games, there is still a feeling that they are vulnerable at the back. Sligo Rovers have now scored in three consecutive home games and that trend may continue here.
BEST BET: BTTS (11/10) NAP +1pt
LONGFORD TOWN v KERRY FC, Sat, 7.30, LOI TV
An important clash in the bottom half of the LOI First Division as an improving Longford host a Kerry FC team that have hit a flat spot in their season.
“De Town” have lost just one of their last five matches and sit one point clear of Kerry, who have slipped to ninth after three consecutive defeats.
Former Cork City manger Colin Healy was appoint Kerry boss in early May and immediately got a response with the Tralee outfit winning three of their first six under Healy and suffering just one defeat against league leaders Dundalk.
However, the recent defeat in Wexford, where Kerry became the first team in LOI history to lose a game from a position where they found themselves 3-1 up at half-time against ten-men, appears to have knocked confidence massively with Kerry thumped 4-0 at home to Dundalk on Friday.
Ever since their inception into the LOI almost three years ago, Kerry have consistently leaked goals and even Healy’s arrival has failed to plug the leak at the back. At the other end, Kerry have been wasteful in front of goal with a serious knee injury to star striker Ryan Kelliher furter blunting their attack.
Kerry FC have never won in Longford from five previous visits (losing 4) and with Longford’s best results coming at home this season, they’ll be eyeing the three points here. At the prices, Longford look the value bet.
BEST BET: Longford Town (13/8) +1pt