Stephen Walsh Betting Column - Week 17

As we approach the final week of the first half of the season, we have a pathetic run of form at present only equalling Wexford at the foot of the first division for the number of wins so far this season. If I was a manager I would have got a few votes of confidence now to keep my role of this betting column.

Last week as has been the case for the majority of weeks this year, we were sure of a winner but alas Finn Harps didn’t agree with it defeating Limerick 3-2.

This week we will again be having the bet in aid of Sophia Housing agency that are by now wondering where the money is. Thanks again to Paddy Power for enhancing and sponsoring the bet.

This week we will be going for a treble involving; Bohemians, Shamrock Rovers and Cobh Ramblers.

First up in the treble will be Bohemians at evens to defeat Drogheda United. The Dublin side has struggled for consistency for long parts of the season hovering around the relegation area of the table but with the return of Dinny Corcoran in recent weeks, the team has been well boosted. They have one of the best goalkeepers in the league at present in Shane Supple. Keith Long is a good manager who will be well aware of what his side has to do to defeat a Drogheda United side that are in a similar scenario to Bohemians with regard to league position. Stephen McGuinness also went off with an injury last week so if he wasn’t to play, Drogheda would be at a disadvantage.

Bohemians won the earlier encounter between the sides 1-0 in United Park and I would be expecting them to be too strong tomorrow and claim the three points.

The second Premier Division game we will be betting on is the game involving Shamrock Rovers and St Patrick’s Athletic. The Inchicore side won the earlier encounter between the two sides owing to Rovers picking up a red card but since that game both teams have gone in different directions with one at the foot of the table and the other in fourth place.

Shamrock Rovers got over their mauling by Cork City last weekend by defeating Bray Wanderers 2-0 on Tuesday night at a very nice price of 11/10. Yours truly had a nice little wager on this game but sticking to tonight I can Rovers improving on Tuesday night and claiming three points. They have some good players in Gary Shaw, Trevor Clarke and Brandon Miele who can unlock defences and so far this season, Liam Buckley’s men have been anything but solid at the back so I can see them conceding a few in Tallaght.

Christy Fagan is always a threat up front but the Rovers defence will be a lot tighter tomorrow than what they did last weekend so I would expect Rovers to prevail.

Lastly in the treble we will be backing third placed Cobh Ramblers to beat Wexford. I picked this game because firstly I will be attending it but secondly I can see the home side doing better than they did at the start of the season. Both sides played out a dire draw while a few weeks ago Wexford lost 2-1 at home. Stephen Henderson’s men have a near full strength squad to pick from while Wexford have a few suspensions to deal with coming into this game. As a result I can see Cobh emerging victorious in this game.

Bets:

Bohemians: 1/1

Shamrock Rovers: 8/13

Cobh Ramblers: 4/7

Bet enhanced: 4/1

Bet link