Airtricity Premier Division Betting - Gameweek 5

It’s a bumper Easter Weekend of Airtricity action, and after the ridiculous weather and cancellations over the past week, the teams (and your wallet) will be hoping for a return to form on this holiest of occasions.  Check back here later this weekend for predictions for Monday & Tuesday’s games.

Bohemians V Sligo Rovers

Ah, the live game. Of the 3 televised games so far this season – two have finished, you guessed it, 0-0. I’ve spoken before about the bizarre RTE-cameras-stage-fright curse that seems to loom over live games. The Dalymount pitch won’t exactly help this one become a goalfest either. The whinging Shamrock Rovers twitter brigade will tell you that for nothing! I actually think if you back a 0-0 draw for live games every single time, you’ll finish the season well in profit. And 15/2 is too tasty to avoid here.
Betting: 0-0 at 15/2

Bray Wanderers V UCD

I called it early – time could be finally up for UCD. So far they’ve confirmed my thoughts, stinking the gaff out in all 4 losses, especially in the 0-6 tonking by Derry. This is the kind of game they need to win to kick-start their season. But I just can’t see it. Unlike previous seasons, they don’t have a few players that you would think “he’s jinky, he might move to a bigger club next season”. With that in mind, I absolutely love Bray at slightly worse than evens here.
Betting: Bray Wanderers at 3/4

Derry City V Shelbourne

Derry grabbed a great three points in Cork last time out, while Shels and Shamrock Rovers served up the usual fare on RTE. Shels have scored a single measly goal from their three games so far, equalled only by Pats who have played a game less thanks to this lousy Smarch weather. Scouring the Paddy Power website threw up a quite sumptuous win-to-nil price for the Candystripes. This could be my “Lump-on of the Week”.
Betting: Derry City to win to nil at 13/10

Shamrock Rovers V Cork City

Rovers have played three away games and had three away draws. Cork have played one away game – and of course, drew that 0-0 too. While that doesn’t bode well for a goal fest, Rovers were impressive in their only home game so far - and a -1 bet looks great value here at better than 2/1.
Betting: Shamrock Rovers -1 at 9/4

Limerick V St. Patrick’s Athletic

Pats haven’t played since that Rovers defeat, owing to the downpours that turned Inchicore into a swamp (careful…I’m saying nothing). Does mean that they’ll be fresh, or out of practice? I’m not convinced by Limerick yet. The reason being that Stuart Taylor is one of those managers who refers to his club as “this football club” every time he references them. He also often says “at this moment in time”. Nope, I can’t be having that. 
Betting: St. Pats at 7/5

KF’s Tricky Treble:

St Pats, Bray, & Shamrock Rovers -1. Pays out a delicious 13/1