Punter's Picks
Credit:
There's a change of the guard this week for Punter’s Picks as P.J. Murray is hidden away in a dark room as he recovers from recent losses and Gareth Penrose steps into the breach..
Bray Wanderers –v- Derry City
Second last plays host to second as Bray welcome Derry to the Carlisle Grounds on Friday night. Despite their lowly league position, Bray remain unbeaten at home, having earned three draws and a win so far. Derry have yet to lose this season on their travels and are favourites to win this clash (Paddy Power: 4-5).
Both sides’ defensive records are similar, with Bray conceding eight goals compared to Derry's concession of six in seven games. Derry are also ahead on the goal scoring stakes averaging 1.5 goals a game to Bray’s one goal per match. With four goals to his name already, Thomas Stewart is priced at tempting odds to score first at 11-2 with Paddy Power.
Bet of the Game: I can’t see past a Derry win for this game. My bet of the game is a 2-1 win for Derry City at odds of 15/2 (available at Paddypower.com)
Dundalk –v- Cork City
Since losing to Derry in the Brandywell on the 20th March, Cork City have been on an unbeaten run with three wins and a draw, the latter coming last Friday against Shamrock Rovers in Tallaght. Dundalk, over the same period, have won once, drawn once and lost twice. It is for that reason that all the bookies make Paul Doolin's men favourites, with the best odds available at Boyle Sports (5/4 for a Cork win).
Both sides have conceded the same number of goals (seven - averaging one a game). Dundalk are marginally ahead on the scoring charts, with seven compared to Cork’s six.
Bet of the Game: Cork City to shade it on a low score line. My bet of the game is Cork City to win by one goal with Paddy Power at odds of 13/5
Galway United –v- Shamrock Rovers
Galway United welcome Shamrock Rovers to Terryland on Friday, hoping to improve on their home record which has seen them earn four points from a possible nine, finding the net on only one occasion.
Rovers come into the game unbeaten in the league in April, notching up two draws and a win so far. Despite this Galway United are favourites with all the bookies, with Paddy Power and Sporting Bet offering odds of 13/10 for a home win.
Galway boost the second best defensive record in the league having only conceded five goals to date and boast the third best scoring rate with eight goals. Clean sheets when they face Rovers are rare, though, and Gary Twigg at 2/1 to score anytime should find a few backers.
Bet of the Game: Galway to be held at home, in a low scoring draw. My bet is Draw with Sky Bet at odds of 9/4.
St. Patrick’s Athletic –v- Drogheda United
The teams with the two worst goal differences in the league come face to face on Friday as Jeff Kenna’s St. Pat’s hope to bounce back from a disastrous April that has seen the side leak 8 goals in three games, with only one goal in reply.
Drogheda have fared slightly better this month, gaining a point from a home clash with Shamrock Rovers, before losing the next two games in tight games that both finished 1-0.
Despite St. Pat’s horrendous month to date, the bookies make them clear favourites at odds of 8/13 available with 888sport. Ladbrokes are offering 4/1 for a Drogheda United win. SkyBet fare best in the draw market, offering 13/5.
Bet of the Game: I'm very tempted to go for a Drogheda win, purely on the odds of 4/1, but instead I am airing on the side of caution and going with the draw at 13/5.
Sligo Rovers –v- Bohemians
Table toppers Bohemians travel to Sligo on Saturday looking to make it four wins from four on their travels. Sligo are going into this game on a run of two league wins from two and confidence will be boosted by the dramatic late win in the Brandywell last week.
Bohemians have the meanest defence in the division, conceding only two goals so far in the campaign. Sligo, on the other hand, have let nine goals in. Understandably Bohs are clear favourites to win. The best odds can be gotten from Paddy Power, Ladbrokes and SkyBet (4/5).
A draw is available from Sporting Bet at 12/5 whilst Sligo to win is available from a range of bookies at 10/3.
Bet of the Game: Bohemians -1 to win with Paddy Power at 5/2.
Limerick FC –v- Kildare County
Well, Kildare come into this game having conceded an alarming 23 goals in six games. They earned one point at the beginning of the season against Finn Harps. Limerick sit sixth in the league and they are coming off the back of a good two-nil win away to Wexford Youths.
The bookies obviously make Limerick clear favourites. It would take a brave soul to bet against a home win. Numerous places offer 12/1 for a Kildare win and 9/2 for a draw. The best odds on a home win are 1/5 with Boylesports and Ladbrokes.
Bet of the Game: At the time of writing, there were no decent bets worth taking bar a Limerick win. So a Limerick win it is at 1/5.
Sporting Fingal –v- Shelbourne
Sporting Fingal are unbeaten in four league games, scoring 14 goals without reply. Shels had a 100% record up until last week when UCD beat them 3-1.
The bookies are all favouring a home win with evens being the best odds available. Boylesport offers the best odds on a draw at 9/4. They are also offering 5/2 for a Shelbourne win.
Bet of the Game: There is a small element of bias to this bet, but having performed impressively in the EA Sports Cup on Monday, defeating a strong Dundalk team 3-0, I am going with Shelbourne to win at odds of 5/2 (Boylesport)
UCD –v- Wexford Youths
UCD are the only team in the First Division with a 100% record having defeated Shelbourne last week. They are joint top scorers of the division and their defence has only conceded three goals.
The bookies are strongly favouring a UCD win, at odds of 4/11 with Paddy Power. A draw is at 3/1 is available with Ladbrokes, whilst Boylesports are offering 8/1 for the Youths to end UCD’s run of wins.
Bet of the Game: UCD to win at 4/11 with Paddy Power. If you are unhappy with the odds, then UCD -1 is available at 6/5.
Mervue United –v- Longford Town
Longford take on new boys Mervue United on the back of three straight league defeats. Mervue on the other hand are coming off the back of a 3-0 win over Kildare County and a narrow 1-0 defeat against Shelbourne. The bookies just about favour Mervue for this one, with BET365 giving the best odds at 8/5 for the win. They also come out with top odds on a draw at 9/4. Paddy Power are offering 13/8 for a Longford victory.
Bet of the Game: Mervue to win on the score line of 1-0. You will get odds of 6/1 with Paddy Power for that.
Athlone Town –v- Finn Harps
5th place Athlone Town are bookies favourites for this game. BET365 offer the best odds at 19/20. Finn Harps, who have lost their last three league games, are at 11/4 with Ladbrokes whilst the best odds on a draw is with Boylesports at 5/2.
Bet of the Game: I am going to go with over 2.5 goals in this game at odds of 27/20 with BET365
Waterford United –v- Monaghan United
Monaghan United have only managed two points this season and lie second last. Waterford United have won the last three games and will be looking to continue this run. The best you can get on a win for the Blues is 1/2 with BET365. None of the bookies are giving the Mons any chance, 15/2 with Paddy Power the best odds.
Bet of the Game: I am going with Waterford -1 at 13/10 with Paddy Power.
Bet of the Week:
This week I am going for a four match accumulator, with Waterford, Derry, Bohemians and Limerick to win which works out at just over 4/1 so I am putting €10 down with returns €51.55 if successful.
Remaining funds: €115
Bray Wanderers –v- Derry City
Second last plays host to second as Bray welcome Derry to the Carlisle Grounds on Friday night. Despite their lowly league position, Bray remain unbeaten at home, having earned three draws and a win so far. Derry have yet to lose this season on their travels and are favourites to win this clash (Paddy Power: 4-5).
Both sides’ defensive records are similar, with Bray conceding eight goals compared to Derry's concession of six in seven games. Derry are also ahead on the goal scoring stakes averaging 1.5 goals a game to Bray’s one goal per match. With four goals to his name already, Thomas Stewart is priced at tempting odds to score first at 11-2 with Paddy Power.
Bet of the Game: I can’t see past a Derry win for this game. My bet of the game is a 2-1 win for Derry City at odds of 15/2 (available at Paddypower.com)
Dundalk –v- Cork City
Since losing to Derry in the Brandywell on the 20th March, Cork City have been on an unbeaten run with three wins and a draw, the latter coming last Friday against Shamrock Rovers in Tallaght. Dundalk, over the same period, have won once, drawn once and lost twice. It is for that reason that all the bookies make Paul Doolin's men favourites, with the best odds available at Boyle Sports (5/4 for a Cork win).
Both sides have conceded the same number of goals (seven - averaging one a game). Dundalk are marginally ahead on the scoring charts, with seven compared to Cork’s six.
Bet of the Game: Cork City to shade it on a low score line. My bet of the game is Cork City to win by one goal with Paddy Power at odds of 13/5
Galway United –v- Shamrock Rovers
Galway United welcome Shamrock Rovers to Terryland on Friday, hoping to improve on their home record which has seen them earn four points from a possible nine, finding the net on only one occasion.
Rovers come into the game unbeaten in the league in April, notching up two draws and a win so far. Despite this Galway United are favourites with all the bookies, with Paddy Power and Sporting Bet offering odds of 13/10 for a home win.
Galway boost the second best defensive record in the league having only conceded five goals to date and boast the third best scoring rate with eight goals. Clean sheets when they face Rovers are rare, though, and Gary Twigg at 2/1 to score anytime should find a few backers.
Bet of the Game: Galway to be held at home, in a low scoring draw. My bet is Draw with Sky Bet at odds of 9/4.
St. Patrick’s Athletic –v- Drogheda United
The teams with the two worst goal differences in the league come face to face on Friday as Jeff Kenna’s St. Pat’s hope to bounce back from a disastrous April that has seen the side leak 8 goals in three games, with only one goal in reply.
Drogheda have fared slightly better this month, gaining a point from a home clash with Shamrock Rovers, before losing the next two games in tight games that both finished 1-0.
Despite St. Pat’s horrendous month to date, the bookies make them clear favourites at odds of 8/13 available with 888sport. Ladbrokes are offering 4/1 for a Drogheda United win. SkyBet fare best in the draw market, offering 13/5.
Bet of the Game: I'm very tempted to go for a Drogheda win, purely on the odds of 4/1, but instead I am airing on the side of caution and going with the draw at 13/5.
Sligo Rovers –v- Bohemians
Table toppers Bohemians travel to Sligo on Saturday looking to make it four wins from four on their travels. Sligo are going into this game on a run of two league wins from two and confidence will be boosted by the dramatic late win in the Brandywell last week.
Bohemians have the meanest defence in the division, conceding only two goals so far in the campaign. Sligo, on the other hand, have let nine goals in. Understandably Bohs are clear favourites to win. The best odds can be gotten from Paddy Power, Ladbrokes and SkyBet (4/5).
A draw is available from Sporting Bet at 12/5 whilst Sligo to win is available from a range of bookies at 10/3.
Bet of the Game: Bohemians -1 to win with Paddy Power at 5/2.
Limerick FC –v- Kildare County
Well, Kildare come into this game having conceded an alarming 23 goals in six games. They earned one point at the beginning of the season against Finn Harps. Limerick sit sixth in the league and they are coming off the back of a good two-nil win away to Wexford Youths.
The bookies obviously make Limerick clear favourites. It would take a brave soul to bet against a home win. Numerous places offer 12/1 for a Kildare win and 9/2 for a draw. The best odds on a home win are 1/5 with Boylesports and Ladbrokes.
Bet of the Game: At the time of writing, there were no decent bets worth taking bar a Limerick win. So a Limerick win it is at 1/5.
Sporting Fingal –v- Shelbourne
Sporting Fingal are unbeaten in four league games, scoring 14 goals without reply. Shels had a 100% record up until last week when UCD beat them 3-1.
The bookies are all favouring a home win with evens being the best odds available. Boylesport offers the best odds on a draw at 9/4. They are also offering 5/2 for a Shelbourne win.
Bet of the Game: There is a small element of bias to this bet, but having performed impressively in the EA Sports Cup on Monday, defeating a strong Dundalk team 3-0, I am going with Shelbourne to win at odds of 5/2 (Boylesport)
UCD –v- Wexford Youths
UCD are the only team in the First Division with a 100% record having defeated Shelbourne last week. They are joint top scorers of the division and their defence has only conceded three goals.
The bookies are strongly favouring a UCD win, at odds of 4/11 with Paddy Power. A draw is at 3/1 is available with Ladbrokes, whilst Boylesports are offering 8/1 for the Youths to end UCD’s run of wins.
Bet of the Game: UCD to win at 4/11 with Paddy Power. If you are unhappy with the odds, then UCD -1 is available at 6/5.
Mervue United –v- Longford Town
Longford take on new boys Mervue United on the back of three straight league defeats. Mervue on the other hand are coming off the back of a 3-0 win over Kildare County and a narrow 1-0 defeat against Shelbourne. The bookies just about favour Mervue for this one, with BET365 giving the best odds at 8/5 for the win. They also come out with top odds on a draw at 9/4. Paddy Power are offering 13/8 for a Longford victory.
Bet of the Game: Mervue to win on the score line of 1-0. You will get odds of 6/1 with Paddy Power for that.
Athlone Town –v- Finn Harps
5th place Athlone Town are bookies favourites for this game. BET365 offer the best odds at 19/20. Finn Harps, who have lost their last three league games, are at 11/4 with Ladbrokes whilst the best odds on a draw is with Boylesports at 5/2.
Bet of the Game: I am going to go with over 2.5 goals in this game at odds of 27/20 with BET365
Waterford United –v- Monaghan United
Monaghan United have only managed two points this season and lie second last. Waterford United have won the last three games and will be looking to continue this run. The best you can get on a win for the Blues is 1/2 with BET365. None of the bookies are giving the Mons any chance, 15/2 with Paddy Power the best odds.
Bet of the Game: I am going with Waterford -1 at 13/10 with Paddy Power.
Bet of the Week:
This week I am going for a four match accumulator, with Waterford, Derry, Bohemians and Limerick to win which works out at just over 4/1 so I am putting €10 down with returns €51.55 if successful.
Remaining funds: €115
About Gareth Penrose
Gareth Penrose founded extratime.com in 2008 and has worked as a reporter / editor / developer on the site since.
Over the last 14 years, Gareth has covered games in the League … View Full Profile