Airtricity Premier Division Betting: Derry to heap more woe on Drogheda

 

After last week's 7-1 cup final thumping, Droghead showed character to win in midweek, but Daniel McDonnell believes they'll revert to losing ways when they play Derry City this weekend...

 

Sometimes, you've just got to hold your hands up. Going into last weekend's Setanta Cup final, the percentage call was a tight, narrow contest. Most Irish finals in recent years have gone all the way to extra time and even penalties, so it seemed wise to assume that the meeting of Shamrock Rovers and Drogheda would be a cagey affair.

The outcome? A 7-1 victory for the Hoops. It's just a shame there wasn't an Over 7.5 Goals market for those who saw it coming.

This week, our featured bet revolves around the losing side on that occasion who showed incredible character to go and win in dreadful conditions in Limerick on Tuesday.

Mick Cooke rung the changes for that game, and his team responded and they will be keen to put on a show in front of their home fans considering the misery they suffered in Tallaght.

However, they are vulnerable against a Derry side who come here with the benefit of a week's rest but also have a point to prove after a dismal 4-2 reverse to UCD last Friday. They will also be looking to avenge their Setanta Cup semi final defeat to the Louthmen.

The narrow pitch in Drogheda should actually suit the Candystripes. Star man Barry McNamee, who has been deployed wide on the left, is more comfortable centrally with a lack of width one of their potential problems. They have the striking options to come away with points, with the trading odds of 2.34 representing value.

After hammering the Drogs, Shamrock Rovers fired a blank in a scoreless draw with a St Patrick's Athletic although they barely created any chances with their opponents the better side. The live TV meeting with Bohemians at Tallaght presents an opportunity to pick up three points which they should take. However, they offer no value. Instead, we look to the Goals department for some value.

When Trevor Croly's side hit their stride, they can be prolific as their performance last Saturday demonstrated. Bohs are a capable but have been weakened by suspension. It's 3.85 about Over 3.5 Goals and expect Rovers to make a bigger contribution towards hitting that target.

Goals are never far away when Limerick go on their travels. They produced a lethargic display against Drogheda but are set up quite well to perform on the road. Nevertheless, UCD were excellent in Derry, and if they reproduce that display they are capable of hurting the Shannonsiders. Certainly, Stuart Taylor's men are trading too short at 2.04. They are lay material.

Finally, the resignation of Shelbourne manager Alan Mathews adds spice to their Dublin derby with St Patrick's Athletic. One of the oddities of football is the frequency that a team with a caretaker boss immediately plays about themselves to register a shock win. The 8.0 about a Shels victory might attract some support on that basis. However, Mathews' left a team that is bottom of the table because he recruited poorly over the winter.

The Saints, on the other hand, showed their quality by dominating the draw with Shamrock Rovers on Tuesday. Perhaps they can find their shooting boots here. They knocked four past Shels earlier in the season. Speculatively, have a few quid on them to hit one less, with a response from the hosts; a 3-1 away win is 15.0 in the Correct Score market.

Recommended Bets

Back Derry City to beat Drogheda United @ 2.34

Back Over 3.5 Goals in Shamrock Rovers v Bohemians @ 3.85

Lay Limerick to beat UCD @ 2.04

Back 1-3 Correct Score in Shelbourne v St Patrick's Athletic @ 15.0

Bet HERE

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