Football Betting Update

Irish Independent Soccer correspondent Daniel McDonnell has all the best bets on an exciting weekend of Eircom League of Ireland action.

We’re into the final series of games in the League of Ireland, and it kicks off with one of those weekends where the majority of the matches feature teams from either side of the gaping divide that clearly exists between top and bottom.

There’s a theory when it comes to this league that you’d be better off staying away from the clashes involving the top four or five, and concentrating on loading up on them when they come face to face with the part time professional teams struggling around at the bottom.

It’s not perfect, but if you stick with it then it shall pay off. Certainly, tonight’s clash between UCD and Derry City at the Belfield Bowl is one such example where the value on the away side makes them tempting when, on form, they should be comfortable winners here.

Derry have been knocking in the goals in recent weeks, particularly on their travels. Uncharacteristically, they have been dropping points at the Brandywell - if they had been more clinical at home to date then they’d still be in the title shakeup.

UCD have struggled in front of goal of late, and while they will have been buoyed by their crucial win in Galway a fortnight ago, they still lack striking quality to match that of Derry who are a safe enough shout at [1.77]. Goals at the Belfield Bowl are not always plentiful, and the poor pitch can be a leveller but, despite that, Overs at around [2.48] is a good play.

The closest game of the night should be between Drogheda and Shamrock Rovers at United Park with two teams reeling from poor performances and subsequent elimination in the FAI Cup last week coming face to face.

Rovers came here earlier in the season and won 1-0 in a game where they frustrated Drogheda, something that is possible on the tight pitch at United Park. Under 2.5 goals is a safe enough shout at [1.67] while, for the outcome, the draw is worth a tentative punt wager at [3.55].

Irish soccer has been reeling in the past fortnight with the financial difficulties being experienced by Cork City who are in the process of entering examinership meaning that the future is uncertain.

They have sent out a rallying call to supporters ahead of the visit of Bray, the first game at their Turner’s Cross home since the extent of their difficulties emerged. It promises to be a passionate occasion, with talk of protests from fans over their grievances. Either way, it shall be lively, and while they have lost star striker Dave Mooney to Reading, don’t be surprised if Cork get carried along in the euphoria and dismiss a Bray side who will be tired from a gruelling FAI Cup replay in Dundalk on Monday.

Cork’s winning price of [1.38] is not much to write home about, but their prospect of a Half Time-Full Time success is available at [1.95]. There would be no harm in snapping up what’s available there.

Finn Harps - Cobh is the televised game meaning there are plenty of available markets for this relegation dogfight. It’s a tough one to call, but Over 1.5 goals is a laying proposition at [1.51].

Meanwhile, league leaders Bohemians travel to Galway where they will hope to continue their terrific recent form. Stick with them to do the required at [1.57] while Sunday’s game sees their nearest pursuers St Patrick’s Athletic host Sligo. There tends to be goals where these two teams are concerned, so Over 2.5 at [2.06] is the way to go here, with complacency the main obstacle to the Saints collecting all three points.