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| Ireland may not be known for the most stylish soccer but their passion is undoubted! |
With the biggest European football leagues on break for the next two months, we will focus our attention on some of the less glamorous leagues on show around the world. Ireland may not be known for the most stylish soccer but their passion for the beautiful game is undoubted! Most of the Irish Premier Division games are played on Friday evening and who wouldn’t want to make a bit of cash after a long and tiring week of work. There are just 12 teams in the league, which means only six matches per round. Let’s find out what’s worth a punt in week 17 of the Ireland Premier Division.
Friday 2 June
6/10 Derry City | Draw 11/4 | Galway 9/2 (20:45)
We kick-start proceedings with Derry City taking on relegation-candidates Galway. The hosts are unbeaten in their last nine matches, however, seven of those games ended in a stalemate but on the plus, those two victories are back-to-back home wins for the Candystripes. Galway are winless away from home this term. In fact, they are without a victory in their last 17 away games, including 10 defeats and seven draws, with their last win on the road dating all the way back to April last year. The home win looks a solid bet at 6/10.
17/20 Bohemians Dublin FC | 47/20 | Drogheda United 3/1 (20:45)
Bohemians Dublin have the worst home record in the league with just two wins, one draw and five losses from eight matches. They have lost four of their last five matches at Dalymount Park and face a tricky test against Drogheda United on Friday night. The Drogs are on a run of six matches without a win and have lost six of their last seven matches on the road, including back-to-back defeats, conceding seven goals without scoring. With both teams struggling for form, I’m expecting a cagey affair. Get on the Totals market – Under 2.5 Goals – at 13/20.
31/20 Limerick FC | 23/10 | Bray Wanderers 31/20 (20:45)
Limerick desperately need to improve on their form on home soil. With just two wins from eight matches on their ground, it leaves much to be desired on the betting front so this might be an encounter to tread carefully if you are having a punt. Bray Wanderers are still to play Shamrock Rovers away from home at the time of writing. The Seagulls have won three of their last five matches on their travels and should give a good account of themselves here. Back Bray Wanderers on the Win/Draw Double Chance at 9/20.
15/10 Dundalk FC | 9/4 | Cork City FC 17/10 (20:45)
Dundalk FC and Cork City will clash in what promises to be an epic top of the table contest. The home side might be second of the standings but they are a massive 15 points off the log leaders – it goes to show that the quality and consistency in this league has been absolutely appalling this term. Dundalk have, however, won six of their eight matches on their ground, scoring 16 goals and conceding just five times. Their opponents, on the other hand, remain the only unbeaten team in the league with 15 wins from 16 games and offer plenty of value at 17/10 to claim maximum points. Get on the Cork City victory!
19/20 Sligo Rovers | 47/20 | Finn Harps 11/4 (20:45)
Sligo Rovers have been horrendous with just three wins from 16 matches this season. They are on a run of four matches without a win but return to the Showgrounds, where prior to their hard-fought 2-1 defeat against runaway table-toppers Cork City last time out, had been unbeaten in five games. Finn Harps come to town in some good form, earning two home wins on the bounce. It’s a different story away from home, though, with the Fluffy Sheep losing on their last three travels, scoring only once and conceding nine times. A tight affair is on the cards with Sligo Rovers tipped for a narrow victory.
7/10 Shamrock Rovers FC | 5/2 | St. Patricks 38/10 (21:00)
At the time of writing, Shamrock Rovers are yet to play their home game against Bray Wanderers. Hoops have been excellent on their turf with five wins from eight games, including back-to-back victories. Basement-dwellers St. Patricks have registered just three wins from 16 matches. The Saints have lost consecutive matches, scoring just once and conceding five times. However, they do have a fantastic record against Rovers with four wins from the last six meetings between the sides. Nonetheless, I can’t back Limerick because of past results and the form book points in the way of a home win. Back Shamrock to edge this one at 7/10.
TREBLE @ 6/1
Derry City Win 6/10
Bohemians FC vs Drogheda United Under 2.5 Goals 13/20
Cork City Win 17/10
Written by Aaron Crowie
