Airtricity Premier Division Betting - Gameweek 2

Alright – alright! You can’t win ‘em all! Although only two of my six betting predictions came up last week – I actually predicted four of the six results. Luckily, the games are coming thick and fast and I have the chance to re-line your pockets with some of the dosh that you’ve inevitably lost at Cheltenham. Keep an eye on this page at the weekend for another bumper set of predictions on Monday & Tuesday's games. First – let’s talk about this weekend.

Shamrock Rovers V St Patrick’s Athletic

Liam Buckley’s hair isn’t really acceptable for a manager of his age. That aside, he’s got a very strong group of players this season at Pats. They eked out a 1-0 win over the Drogs on opening night, while Darth Croly and the Hooped Empire were held to a predicted stalemate at Dundalk. As this game is live on RTE, it’s almost certain to finish 0-0 – but I think Rovers might just edge this one. The home fans will be ‘restless’, shall we say. Nothing other than a win will do. Back them to win by a single goal at a tasty 5/2.
Betting: Shamrock Rovers to win by exactly 1 goal – 5/2

Cork City V Bohemians

Bohs were the only team to score two goals on the opening weekend. Read that sentence again. It’s like living in a dream-world. The boys in Block G of the Jodi gleefully sang “we are top of the league” throughout the foggy win over UCD. Tongue in cheek of course, but Bohs look like they might have a bit of firepower this season. Chris Lyons looks nippy and Kevin Devaney can finish. Cork were the victims of what I like to call the “RTE League of Ireland stage-fright curse” – once the cameras turn up, all teams freeze like a baby deer in the headlights of a Krusty-endorsed Canyonero. These two teams finished up on the same points last season – and the draw here is too delicious to turn down.
Betting: Draw at 9/4

Drogheda United V Limerick

Before this year Hunky Dorys Park served the best burgers in the League of Ireland – there I said it! But with Eddie Rockets opening up in Dalymount – the Drogs have some competition for that title this year. I was planning to insert some kind of horse-meat gag there – possible mentioning former Drog striker Andy “get back in your cage” Myler – but I can’t think of one, so I’ll move on. Limerick were impressive in their opener against Cork, but of course, the aforementioned condom of the RTE cameras stopped any goals from escaping Thomond Park. Drogs also failed to score last Friday – so I can’t see this being a goal fest. I have fallen in love with the Under/Over goals market over the years, and you should too.
Betting: Under 1.5 Goals at 13/8

UCD V Derry City

I don’t know if you saw current Northern Ireland manager Michael O’Neill’s Ultimate LOI XI this week? If you did, you’d be forgiven for thinking Derry City had won all domestic trophies last season. They had four, that’s right FOUR players in his Dream XI. Including BARRY MOLLOY!!!??? Now, I know for certain that Barry Molloy is a nice guy and a decent player – but sweet lamb of Christ, in a Dream Eleven? Anyway, both of these sides were beaten on opening weekend, so something has to give this week. Having seen them at first hand last Friday, the Students look too light to me. Happily, they had more than a handful of fans for the defeat to Bohs, which was great to see. This smells considerably like an away win. 
Betting: Derry City at 5/4

Shelbourne V Dundalk

Like I said last week, Shels could be in a bit of trouble. Beaten by Bray and the surely close-to-retirement Jason Byrne, they were a bit lifeless by all accounts. An early red card won’t have helped. Dundalk were good enough to hold off Shamrock Rovers, but also didn’t threaten much at the sharp end. In fact, in the opening six games of this season’s Airtricity League Premier, there were a measly six goals scored. So I’ve scoured the Paddy Power markets and have found a cheeky little hidden gem – 0-0 at half time in this one. Get on it.
Betting: First Half Under 0.5 Goals at 13/8

Sligo Rovers V Bray Wanderers

Like most non-mental people, I don’t like getting the piss ripped out of me. The price of 2/7 on Sligo winning this game however, is taking the piss big time – so avoid it. Although, in fairness, Bray simply won’t be up for this game. They’ll say they are “blah blah we want to win every game etc etc” – but they’ll be delighted with the three points against Shels, and will have more than one eye on their home game against Cork on Tuesday. Sligo -1 is odds on for a reason. But it’s got  Lumpers Value at 5/6
Betting: Sligo Rovers -1 at 5/6
 

KF’s “Tricky Treble” of the Week: 
Sligo -1 / Shamrock Rovers to win / Derry to win comes out at around about a lovely 8/1

Accumulate This:
Accumulator of Sligo -1/ Shamrock Rovers / Derry / Drogs / Cork-Bohs draw / Shels-Dundalk draw. A fiver on this pays back €780