League of Ireland Bettors' profit-and-loss table

Bray Wanderers top the bettor’s profit-and-loss table in the Airtricity League Premier Division this season.

Ten rounds of games have been played at this stage.

If you thought it had to be Dundalk, you were wrong. It’s Bray! The Seagulls sit at the summit on the basis of their surprise 3-1 road victory over Sligo on Friday 3 April.

They hit a highest average-priced 12.83 in the ante-post betting market to win at the Showgrounds as the bookies were slow to price in the new reality surrounding Owen Heary’s side.

Like Bray, Sligo are also one of the stragglers this season.

The Bit O’Red went into their home fixture against Bray without a win from their opening five games (two draws and three defeats) but did not get higher than 1.23.

Bray had lost all five.

Meanwhile, only Dundalk (+2.43) and Cork (+0.90) have been profitable at home for bettors. All the other ten sides are in deficit for the campaign.

Only Bray (+8.83), Bohs (+2.90), Dundalk (+1.29) and Shamrock Rovers (+1.03) have been profitable on the road for bettors.

Figures after a team’s name denote profit (+) or loss (-) to €1 level stakes on a win-only basis for all league matches this season.

Highest prices referenced are the average values of several bookmakers on Odds Portal.

1 Bray Wanderers +5.38

In the immediate aftermath of the resignation of manager Alan Mathews and his entire backroom staff, the Seagulls touched a high of 12.83 in the ante-post market in Sligo. Without a point or a goal to their name from their first five league games, they were unsupported and on the drift in the market. However, they rewarded backers with a 3-1 win with the help of a hat-trick from David Cassidy. That shot Bray to the top of the profit-and-loss table. They have been there ever since. Still, that does not make them good things. On the contrary, seven defeats from their other nine games makes them a side to swerve in the market. Ask yourself this: could your bankroll have survived the five straight defeats they started the season with? Unless you have deep pockets, probably not! At the very least, it would have left a sizeable dent in it.

2 Dundalk +3.72

For sustainable bankroll growth, invest in Dundalk, not Bray. Second overall in the profit-and-loss table, the best home returns have been provided by the defending Airtricity League Premier Division champions. They have five wins from five at Oriel Park and are the only side with a 100 per cent record on their home patch in 2015. Less savvy bettors believe backing favourites is a mug’s game and that the real value can be found with the longshots. This is not the case. On a consistent growth trajectory, backing Stephen Kenny’s side is the path to profitability. They rank third on their travels.

3 Bohemians +2.38

A terrific road record – four wins and two draws from six away trips – has the Gypsies in third spot overall. Victories at Limerick (2.22), Bray (1.73), Drogheda (1.94) and Derry (3.01) has seen their stock soar. After the Seagulls, Keith Long’s side have netted the biggest profits on the road.

4 Shamrock Rovers +0.15

Loss makers in Tallaght (-0.88), Rovers are profitable on their travels (+1.03) with three wins from five road trips – Longford (1.91), Sligo (2.67) and Bray (1.45). Only the Seagulls, Dundalk and Bohs have provided bettors with greater returns on their travels.

5 Cork City -1.04

Despite winning six from ten, the Leesiders are in fifth spot. Losing 2-1 to Dundalk at Turner’s Cross last weekend impacted on their profitability. That reverse – their first at home this season after four straight wins – and short odds-on quotes on Leeside (1.35 v Limerick, 1.37 v Galway, 1.85 v Derry and 1.33 v Longford) have clipped them back. Had they beaten Dundalk – they touched a high of 2.96 ante-post – they would be in third spot in the profit-and-loss table, not fifth.

6 St Patrick's Athletic -2.01

The FAI Cup holders, who are unbeaten in eight games in all competitions, are in deficit both home (-0.53) and away (-1.48). The highest show of their three wins in Inchicore was 1.66. That was for the 2-0 victory over Derry at Richmond Park on Tuesday 24 March.

7 Drogheda United -2.70

The Drogs’ 3-2 win over Sligo at United Park on Friday 13 March has boosted their place in the profit-and-loss pecking order. They reached a high of 4.47 ante-post and recovered from conceding the game’s opening goal to win. Opposing Sligo have been good for bettors’ pockets.

8 Galway United -3.04

The Tribesmen had not scored a goal or picked up a point on the road before their 5-0 win in Bray last weekend. Banking some profits from a best show of 2.55 as they finally found a cure for their travel sickness has softened the blow for bettors. Two home victories have been undermined three defeats at Eamonn Deacy Park.

9 Longford Town -3.11

Just one win at the City Calling Stadium sees Longford down in ninth spot in the profit-and-loss table. Only three sides – Derry (-3.13), Bray (-3.45) and Sligo (-5.0) – have provided bettors with worse home returns than Longford (-2.36). However, two wins on their travels – 2.51 v Galway and 2.74 v Drogheda – has them close to break-even on the road at -0.75.

10 Derry City -3.57

A solitary victory from five at the Brandywell has proved costly for backers of the Candystripes. Two road wins from five – 2.96 v Galway and 1.6 v Limerick – at least has them in fifth spot at -0.44 on their travels.

11 Sligo Rovers -8.10

Only winless Limerick have provided worse returns than Sligo home and away. The Shannonsiders are -6.0 at home and -4.0 away. Sligo are -5.0 at home and -3.10 away. Sligo and Limerick are the only sides yet to win in front of their own fans in 2015.

12 Limerick FC -10.00

It is no surprise to see the Shannonsiders rooted to the bottom of the profit-and-loss table as they have yet to win a league match this season.

HOME TABLE: 1 Dundalk (+2.43); 2 Cork (+0.90); 3 Bohemians (-0.52); 4 Drogheda and St Pat’s (-0.53); 6 Galway (-0.59); 7 Shamrock Rovers (-0.88); 8 Longford (-2.36); 9 Derry (-3.13); 10 Bray (-3.45); 11 Sligo (-5.0); 12 Limerick (-6.0).

AWAY TABLE: 1 Bray (+8.83); 2 Bohemians (+2.90); 3 Dundalk (+1.29); 4 Shamrock Rovers (+1.03); 5 Derry (-0.44); 6 Longford (-0.75); 7 St Pat’s (-1.48); 8 Cork (-1.94); 9 Drogheda (-2.17); 10 Galway (-2.45); 11 Sligo (-3.10); 12 Limerick (-4.0).