Home and Away: Ranieri's side within touching distance of promotion

29Apr 2013

Betfair

Jonno Turner looks to action in Ireland and France as he aims to kick start the week in style with two winning selections...

We're off to Ireland for our first pick of the week - and in-form St Patricks host Bohemians at Richmond Park, looking to secure their 12th game unbeaten from 13 on their own patch.

Liam Buckley's side have kicked off the new campaign with aplomb, and currently sit third in the Premier League - nad find themselves four points behind second placed Derry, with a game in hand.

Half a dozen clean sheets from their last eight in front of their own fans shows just how dominant the home side have been of late, and they will be keen to maintain that momentum in this one.

A 2-0 defeat of leaders Sligo last week will have boosted confidence in the home camp, and the Saints will be eyeing pole position, with just six points to make up - and bettering their finish of third last campaign.

Visitors Bohemians travel to Inchicore in inconsistent form - and have won just two of their last eight ahead of this clash.

Aaron Callaghan's side have lost two of their opening three on the road this season, and that suggests that they have continued the miserable run which saw them fail to win eight of their final 10 away from Dalymount Park last year.

Worrying for the Gypsies will be the fact that they have kept just two clean sheets on their travels since May 2012 - and that indicates that St Patricks are more than likely to notch against their guests this evening.

The hosts are unbeaten in six against their opponents, and I reckon that they can make it three wins on the bounce here.

Bet 1: St Patricks (HOME) @ 1.56

Switching our attentions to France now - and Ligue 2, as Monaco travel to Sedan, looking for maximum points in order to secure promotion back to the top tier.

Claudio Ranieri's side have been in sparkling form of late, and will be high in confidence following a 4-0 thrashing of Clermont last week - a result which further extended their lead at the top of the table.

And eight unbeaten on the road, with six wins, and five clean sheets, shows just how impressive Les Rouges et Blancs have been on the road of late - with their free-flowing attacking on the break causing untold problems for the rest of the division.

Sedan go into this one sitting second bottom of the table - and though results have picked up recently, they are still six points adrift of safety - and running out of time.

Laurent Guyot's charges have won three of their last four on their own patch, and will be desperate to continue that positive form - but what a shame for them that they welcome the might of Monaco this evening - a side which has swept all before them this campaign.

The hosts have no choice but to go for the three points, and that will play straight into the away sides hands.

On recent form I'd back Sedan against most sides in Ligue 2 - but not Monaco. Their quality is clear, and I can't see them throwing away the opportunity to secure their top flight status once again.

Bet 2: Monaco (AWAY) @ 2.06