Airtricity Premier Division Betting - Gameweek 9

After an indifferent first few weeks of betting tips (some might have a stronger word than ‘indifferent’) Accumulate This is back! I’ve taken stock, cleaned away the mud that was hurled at Extratime Towers, and am ready to line your pockets once more!

*Warning – pockets may not be lined*

St. Patrick’s Athletic V Sligo Rovers

They have to be stopped. Someone has to stop them. Won’t somebody please think of the children! Sligo have swatted away all 8 opponents so far with consummate ease. Not only has Anthony Elding been scoring more often than Messi on acid, he’s also been making the ladies of Sligo swoon with his tattoos and hulk-like physique. Despite Liam Buckley’s hair, Pats have hit a good run of form after a shaky opening and some called off games.  I think they might just be able to halt the Sligo juggernaut tonight in front of the RTÉ cameras. However, if Sligo win – the league may well be done and dusted by the time of the June break. Scary.
Betting: Draw at 11/5

Bohemians V Dundalk

I had the pleasure of visiting Thomond Park on Tuesday for the first time. Not being a fan of egg-chasing, ear-biting, blood-faking, eye-gouging nonsense, I had never been. It was quite a nice experience until the game started. Bohs managed to throw away a goal lead against 10-man Limerick, and to say they looked toothless would be an insult to gums. They badly need Chris Lyons to come back. The whole ‘Dave Scully for Ireland’ thing was funny at first, but things are starting to get desperate, and I’m not laughing anymore. Dundalk have been impressive away from home. If Lyons doesn’t make it, I can’t see anything other than an away win here. 
Betting: Dundalk at 6/4

Cork City V Shelbourne

Oh dear oh dear Shels fans. One point and two goals from 8 games is, shall we say, not good form. Their next two fixtures are tough trips to Cork and Limerick. This could get ugly, Bobby Ryan ugly. Cork have looked good at home, as they always do. Shels badly faded in the second half against Pats last week. If you like patterns – this half-time / full-time bet caught my eye. 
Betting: Half-time / Full-time – Draw / Cork City at 3/1

Derry City V Shamrock Rovers

Another mouthwatering top 4 clash here, making it a bumper weekend of games. Sky Sports would have called it ‘Grand Slam Friday’ back in the day. After 67 draws in a row, apparently Shamrock Rovers asked the league to introduce a ‘next goal winner’ system last week. After giving it close consideration, John Delaney turned it down – then took off his shoes. Rovers responded by slaughtering Bray 7-0 last week. Derry have been a revelation so far. After losing to Sligo (obviously) in the opening game, they’ve won six and drawn just one since that. Anyone looking for a nice lumper would be cunningly looking at ‘Both teams to score’. 
Betting: Both Teams to Score – Yes at 10/11

Drogheda United V UCD

UCD haven’t been that unlucky to only have one point from their first 8. They’ve conceded the one goal less than Shels, and, as they say, lack a cutting edge. Drogs have been predictably middling so far, although they’ll be buoyed by an impressive Setanta win over the invincible Sligo in midweek. I fancy them to continue in that vein.
Betting: Half-time / Full-time = Drogheda / Drogheda at 11/10

Bray Wanderers V Limerick

It’s often extremely difficult to predict goalscorers in the Airtricity League. Having said that, you’d make money every week by simply writing ‘A. Elding’ on a betting slip and exchanging it for cash before a Sligo match even starts.  I’ve got a couple of anytime scorers for you to chew on here. 
Betting: To score anytime – Jason Byrne at 17/10, and the excellent Axel Bossekota at 3/1

KF’s Tricky Treble: Dundalk, Cork, and St.Pats/Sligo draw at a delicious 12/1