*All prices are bang up to date with our snazzy widgets, while odds in copy are accurate at time of publishing but subject to change
The League of Ireland is a madness and you should adore it for the rest of your lives. Seven days ago, we were convinced that Shamrock Rovers were on the decline and the title race was well and truly on.
Yet here we are – ten points clear of Dundalk and while the Louth men have two games in hand, there’s absolutely no guarantee of them taking maximum points from them, especially as they’ve just shown an inability to break down Shelbourne.
Derry seemed primed to be the title contenders but have won just one of their last five, while the only thing consistent about St. Pat’s is their ability to be inconsistent despite having their best squad in some time.
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Bohs are finally living within their own reality of having a midtable side and Shels look more composed despite having just been promoted.
Drogheda continue to prove impregnable and Finn Harps and UCD’s average remains firmly in the sub-adult category.
This was your weekly League of Ireland digest, and what follows will be the compensation I’m awarding you for having to sit through and digest it.
To the acca!
*An accumulator with these bets pays at approximately 9/1 with Paddy Power. CLICK HERE TO ADD IT TO YOUR BETSLIP.
The latest football odds are on PaddyPower.com right nowBohemians v Derry – Both Teams to Score
19:45
Where these two teams excel is on the goalscoring front.
The last side to shut Derry out were actually Shamrock Rovers, who, ironically, also stopped Bohs from scoring last Friday. If there’s to be a unified measuring stick to gauge your goalscoring inadequacies, then the Hoops are about the best of the bunch.
But Bohs cannot defend, for all that they’ve historically been plucky. They have attacking threat though Promise and Coote, but their midfielders are too focused on linking up and never cover advancing full backs.
Derry? Their goals per game average is the best in the league but they’re far looser than both Rovers and Dundalk above them.
Goals incoming.
Dundalk v UCD – Pat Hoban to Score Anytime
19:45
There’s no value, and honestly very little certainty about backing Dundalk with a spread, so you need to look a bit closer to find an angle.
Where UCD struggle is with physicality. Their sessions are ballwork and more ballwork. As soon as a ball comes into the box, it’s like they’re searching for that textbook to double check the correct approach.
The only thing Dundalk do better than Shamrock Rovers is delivery into the box and Pat Hoban is as big a guarantee as you can have in this league when it comes to finishing chances.
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St. Patrick’s v Drogheda – Drogheda and the Draw
19:45
Pat’s are the best and worst team in the league, I assure you. And it changes week to week, which is the most entertaining element.
While Drogheda are the most consistent side in the league in terms of achieving better results than you’d anticipate.
Them and Dundalk are the only sides unbeaten in their last five and that’s some achievement in a league where you’re one of the only part-time sides.
Take the seismic value available here about Pat’s failing to win a game they should and Drogs getting something from a game they shouldn’t.
Finn Harps v Shamrock Rovers – Rovers to Win
20:00
Nice and straightforward here. The best side in the league playing in a venue that often sees its games mispriced because of the perception that it’s a tough place to go.
Rovers have won the last three games between these sides 9-1, including a 3-0 win for the Hoops in their last trip to Ballybofey in April.
Don’t overcomplicate this leg.
Friday Night League of Ireland Acca Tips
Bohemians v Derry – Both Teams to Score
Dundalk v UCD – Pat Hoban to Score Anytime
St. Patrick’s v Drogheda – Drogheda and the Draw
Finn Harps v Shamrock Rovers – Rovers to Win
*An accumulator with these bets pays at approximately 9/1 with Paddy Power. CLICK HERE TO ADD IT TO YOUR BETSLIP.
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*All prices are bang up to date with our snazzy widgets, while odds in copy are accurate at time of publishing but subject to change
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