Stephen Walsh Betting Column - Week 18

I hope everybody is nice and relaxed after the week break as we set about improving on our so far dismal record with the betting column. Contrary to speculation on one online chat forum, there is no conspiracy theory involving me and a bookmaker it is just my picks have been awful.

So as we are neck and neck with Wexford in the wins category this season, we are hoping to raise more for the Sophia Housing Agency. Thanks to Paddy Power for sponsoring the bet.

First up in the treble we will be picking Cork City to defeat Limerick, the Rebel Army are an unbackable 1/3 at present but Limerick will have benefitted from the break with new manager Neil McDonald allowed more time with his side to introduce his ideas. City are in the final few games with Sean Maguire at home and know themselves that they will need to considerably up their game for the game in comparison to the display they showed against Wilton United earlier in the week.

Chiedozie Ogbene has a point to prove in this live televised fixture on Eir Sport since he left Cork City earlier this season but John Caulfield has his team well drilled and they should emerge victorious.

Second up in the treble will be the choice of UCD at 10/11 to defeat Shelbourne in our First Division bet. The Students normally come into their own during the summer as they have no distraction with exams allowing them to devote more time to training and as a result don’t be surprised to see them go on a run of games in the next few weeks.

Shelbourne have had a very inconsistent season so far losing to UCD at the beginning of the season 4-0 before losing 1-0 in the other fixture. The break came at an ideal time for Owen Heary’s young side with them only collecting one point from a possible nine. As a result we will be backing Collie O’Neill’s side to victory this weekend.

Last up in the treble we will be using the Bray Wanderers v Derry City game. These two teams are up near the top and have had good seasons so far and both should be in European contention come the end of the season. As a result both teams have a tendency to score goals with Derry having Rory Patterson near to full fitness, whether he is risked will come down to Kenny Shiels. We will be going for the both teams to score option at 8/13 and yes I am aware of the risk of Bray not having Dylan Connolly but the return of Gary McCabe from suspension should be a boost for the home side.

Bets:

Cork City 1/3

UCD 10/11

Bray Wanderers v Derry City BTTS Yes 8/13

Odds: 4.11/1

Enhanced Odds: 11/2

Link: http://www.paddypower.com/football/football-specials/league-of-ireland-specials?ev_oc_grp_ids=3173935