Stephen Walsh Betting Column (March 10th 2017)

Well like a number of teams across the two divisions we have yet to claim our first win of the season, however, fingers crossed it will be third time lucky after Longford Town let the docket down last week.

The first two bets with both Cork City and Bray Wanderers -1 were successful leaving extratime HQ in a giddy mode as we thought of all the things the winning bet could get for our chosen charity. At half eight last Saturday night the WhatsApp group was feeling bullish but Cobh Ramblers clearly didn’t read the script at 5/1 as they decided to beat Longford 3-1.

So while most of the country will cast one eye towards Cheltenham next week, one must not forget that they’re still a few rounds of the SSE Airtricity League to be played before people all focus on the Cotswold’s.

Late last Friday we were contacted by the charity “Blood Bikes South” who asked to come on board for the month of March in the hope of raising a few quid to go towards their superb work across the Southern Part of Ireland. They provide a free transport courier system of essential medical supplies between hospitals. They carry many more items outside of blood including breast milk and files along with a whole host of other items. To find out more information about the charity please check out their website. http://www.bloodbikesouth.ie/

Paddy Power has come on board again for this week and we are grateful for the generous sponsorship of the bets this week and as a result all prices will be from the Paddy Power website.

First up in the selection will be the game involving Dundalk and Limerick. While both teams have yet to experience defeat this season, I believe it to be a step too far for Limerick as they hope to remain unbeaten and the quality of the Louth based side will be enough for them to claim victory. Dundalk kept a clean sheet last week against Sligo Rovers something Limerick failed to do on the opening week of the season.

Last season Limerick conceded goals despite winning many games comfortably so as a result I think that Dundalk will score a few on them. They will have acclimatised to their new pitch better in the weeks since they defeated Shamrock Rovers and this is another reason to back them at 8/15.

Next on the list is Shamrock Rovers who I believe will defeat Derry City in Tallaght Stadium. Stephen Bradley has made a big mention in previous weeks of turning Tallaght into a fortress and tonight will be the night where they will need to build on their win last week over Bohemians. They will have a better surface to play on in comparison to last week and this should assist them in their attacking plays.

Derry City had a very good opening to the league defeating Bohemians and then they had a floodlight affected game against Limerick last week. The Candystripes will be hoping to challenge for the title but with them missing a whole host of players through injury including Rory Patterson it is hard to see beyond a Shamrock Rovers victory at 11/10.

Last up in the treble is the First Division choice. Yes as some people mentioned last week this is where we have had the problems with the bets so far but we are sure we are on to a winner this weekend.  

Waterford will be the pick to claim the three points, they had an early season hiccup against Athlone Town but one can put that down to the fact that they had a new captain playing that night who hadn’t played with his teammates before but I can see the team improving from there as people saw with the 3-0 victory over Cabinteely.

UCD while being in great form on the back of a 4-0 victory over Shelbourne come into this home game as outsiders and for this reason I think Waterford will be victorious at 10/11.

Bets:

Dundalk 8/15

Shamrock Rovers 11/10

Waterford 10/11

€5 treble= €30.74

Click here for the Paddy Power Extratime.ie Enhanced treble of 8/1

€5 returns €40