Our footy writer previews all six Irish Premier Division fixtures which will get underway on Friday evening.
The Irish Premier Division is proving to be extremely valuable on the betting front. Runaway table-toppers Cork City are the gift that keeps on giving, while any team below them seem mediocre at best!
Dundalk, Bray Wanderers, Shamrock Rovers and Derry City will do battle for UEFA Europa League qualification and further down the table, the relegation dogfight looks set to go down to the wire with just three points separating eighth place from the bottom of the log. Enough small talk, for now, let’s get stuck in!
Friday 23 June
Dundalk 2/11 | Draw 52/10 | Finn Harps 12/1
Following a savage 3-0 home defeat at the hands of Cork City, Dundalk bounced back to winning ways with a resounding 6-0 victory away to Drogheda United last time out. This week, Finn Harps come to town, out of form and low on confidence.
The Harps are without a win in their last four travels, scoring once and conceding nine times. Dundalk United have won the last six meetings in all competitions against the Blue and White army, scoring 18 goals without conceding – an average of three goals a game. Get on the Home To Win To Nil at 15/20!
Bohemians 23/20 | Draw 22/10 | Sligo Rovers 47/20
Bohemians will take on Sligo Rovers at Dalymount Park on Friday evening. The Bohs have lacked consistency this season and have been terrible on their ground with five losses from nine matches, scoring eight goals and conceding 17 times.
Sligo Rovers are winless in their last 10 away matches, including six defeats and four draws, with their last victory dating all the way back to October last year. Nonetheless, I can see the Bit o’ Red putting in a solid shift. A tight affair is expected and with six of the last seven meetings between the sides producing under 2.5 goals, it would be wise to follow the trend at a hefty 7/10.
Derry City 15/4 | Draw 11/4 | Cork City 13/20
Derry City will look to return to winning ways after going down 3-2 in an entertaining five-goal thriller away to Bray Wanderers last weekend. However, they must do so against the imminent champions Cork City, who have won 17 of their 18 matches, scoring 52 goals and conceding only nine times.
Derry City have won their last three home games so a stern contest is on the cards. Nonetheless, it’s difficult to bet against Cork City and at 13/20, they’re well worth a punt!
Galway 2/1 | Draw 47/20 | Bray Wanderers 12/10
Relegation-threatened Galway will take on Bray Wanderers in what promises to be a cracking encounter. The home side are placed second from bottom on the standing with just two wins from 18 matches this season.
Bray Wanderers have been poor of on the road, suffering back-to-back defeats and will be desperate to turn that poor run of form around. Galway, however, have proven tough to beat on home soil and are tipped to get something out of this game. Back the home team on the win/draw Double Chance at 6/10.
Shamrock Rovers 4/10 | Draw 7/2 | Drogheda United 13/2
The curtain comes down on Friday evening with an eye-catching clash between Shamrock Rovers and Drogheda United. The former stood tall last time out with a hard-fought 1-0 victory away to Finn Harps, while Drogheda were absolutely obliterated 6-0 in front of their own fans by a rampant Dundalk team.
Shamrock Rovers are unbeaten in their last seven matches at home with five wins and two draws. The Drogs on the other hand, have lost six of their last eight travels this term. The home team are tipped on the (-1) Handicap at even money!
Saturday 17 June
Limerick 11/10 | Draw 24/10 | St Patricks 9/4
The final match of the round and only bit of Saturday action pits Limerick up against St Patricks. The Super Blues fell to a 4-1 defeat at Cork City last time out and will be glad to return to home soil, where they earned a 5-3 victory over Bray Wanderers last time around.
Basement-dwellers St Patricks are without a win in their last five games, including three defeats. Nonetheless, they have found the back of the net in their last six games on the road and are tipped to do so this weekend. Get on the Both Teams To Score – Yes – market at 13/20.
THIS WEEK’S TREBLE TIPPED @ 5/1
Dundalk FC – Home To Win To Nil (15/20)
Shamrock Rovers – (-1) Handicap (1/1)
Limerick v St Patricks – BTTS (13/20)
Written by Aaron Crowie for @Hollywoodbets
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