Airtricity Premier Division Betting: Previews for the opening weekend

8Mar 2013

Betfair

The Irish football season kicks back into top gear this evening with some exciting fixtures in the Airtricity Premier Division. Regular previewer Daniel McDonnell takes a look...

After a lengthy winter hiatus, the 2013 Airtricity League resumes today with the traditional high turnover of players making life complicated for the betting public.

In this era of one year contracts, a number of squads have undergone a radical overhaul during the break. Therefore, punters who may have noticed particular habits creeping into a side may have to reset their mind.

Some things never change, however, and the opening meeting of Dundalk and Shamrock Rovers at Oriel Park is sure to have plenty of spice. It is rarely quiet when these protagonists meet and there is an extra edge added to the game by the fact that new Dundalk boss Stephen Kenny kicks off his tenure against the club which sacked him last September.

The artificial surface at Oriel Park remains a source of contention, although Kenny has signed a few players who claim to like it.

Rovers come into this game with the advantage of three competitive Setanta Cup matches under their belt, and Trevor Croly's charges impressed in Monday's thrashing of Linfield. It is not inaccurate to call them a new look side although Croly is a former Hoops assistant and his main signings, James Chambers, Shane Robinson, Mark Quigley, Jason McGuinness, Barry Murphy, Karl Sheppard (loan) and Sean O'Connor (suspended tonight) are all returning to the club for a second stint.

They are all quite familiar with each other too and looked a solid proposition against Linfield. Dundalk have been hit and miss in pre-season and should improve with games. The intensity of the occasion can sometimes tilt the balance, but Croly's side have a solid shape. Don't invest fortunes at the skinny odds off 1.7, yet they are capable of prevailing.

Defending champions Sligo mauled Glentoran at the Showgrounds on Monday and while their opening trip to face cup winners Derry is difficult, the 2.22 about an away win represents a bet. Declan Devine has signed some talented players who have struggled with consistency elsewhere; by contrast, the Bit'O'Red proved themselves trustworthy last term and can get off on a winning note.

The stand-out bet is at the Carlisle Grounds where Bray Wanderers are trading at 2.84 to take the spoils from the visit of Shelbourne. After losing some talented players, Shels have struggled to find adequate replacements in pre-season. The Seagulls have added the experience of Gary Dempsey to support goalscoring pair Jason Byrne and Kieran Marty Waters. They're a good price.

Elsewhere, a low-scoring affair is the percentage call at Richmond Park with Drogheda's short journey to face St Patrick's Athletic bringing together last year's second and third. The Saints found goals hard to come by in 2012 and a goalless return from their Setanta ties with a limited Glentoran outfit suggests they still have work to do.

The meeting of Bohemians v UCD is hard to call with the initial instinct being that the 19/20 about a home win is a bit skinny. There could be some laying potential against a UCD team that will come in reasonably sharp from their success in the Collingwood Cup colleges competition.

Meanwhile, on Sunday, the 2.6 about Cork spoiling Limerick's Thomond Park opener is tempting on the basis of their pre-season form.

Recommended Bets

Back Bray to beat Shelbourne @ 2.84

Back Sligo to beat Derry @ 2.22

Lay Bohemians to beat UCD @ 2.1

Back Under 2.5 Goals St Pat's v Drogheda @ 1.78