Shelbourne to prevent a Bohemians win

Daniel McDonnell previews Friday night's action in the Irish Airtricity Premier Division...

The Airtricity League takes a short summer break once this weekend's games are out of the way and it is a time for teams to re-evaluate and take stock. In that regard, the Dublin derby between Bohemians and Shelbourne on Friday night is quite significant as both managers have plenty of thinking to do.

Shels sit bottom on six points with new boss Johnny McDonnell having a very difficult job on his hands. Bohs, on the other hand, have infuriated with their inconsistency. They are third from bottom on 14 points and while they took a fine point from Sligo last week and have performed well against some of the teams at the right end of the table, they have failed to follow up those good displays with another.

With key defenders Owen Heary and Luke Byrne injury doubts for the visit of Shels, they cannot be trusted at 2.14 to collect all three points from this crucial encounter. McDonnell has drafted in ex-Bohs man Gareth O'Connor and they gave title chasing Derry a match last weekend before going down by a single goal. They can take a result from what should be a real scrap. At the odds, Bohs are lay of the week.

There are, perhaps, understandable reasons why St Patrick's Athletic are trading at 1.9 to come away with three points from their trip to Dundalk. The Saints have opened up a gap at the top of the table and are nine points ahead of the fourth placed Lilywhites, albeit with a game more played. Dundalk's position is also built on their fine away form; they have proved very beatable at Oriel Park and punters obviously feel that way. Indeed, the away team have won on their last seven outings to this venue, a fairly remarkable statistic.

However, one of the Saints' two defeats this term came on their own turf at the hands of Dundalk, a game that the Louth side dominated for the opening 45 minutes by keeping possession well and competing with the Dubliners' strong midfield although Soccer Writers Association of Ireland Player of Month Killian Brennan was absent on that occasion. Still, with both sides keen to get the ball down and play, the hosts should be well capable of competing, and a large home crowd will roar them on. At the prices, the visitors are worth taking on; they are another lay at the prices.

Elsewhere on Friday night, Cork and Drogheda United meet at Turner's Cross. There hasn't been great vibes coming from either camp this year and the possible unavailability of Derek Prendergast and Declan O'Brien could tilt the balance towards the natives. They are a fair price at 2.64.

Meanwhile, at the Carlisle Grounds, free scoring Bray Wanderers host a Derry side that can turn it on. After Bray's dramatic 5-4 win at UCD last week, Over 2.5 Goals is a popular bet but don't be surprised if the Seagulls produce a more disciplined display against a top team. They organised themselves well to hold Sligo to a scoreless draw here and the value could have gone the other way in the goals market. The 2.38 about Under 2.5 Goals is worth a few quid.

Best Bets
Lay Bohemians @ 2.14 v Shelbourne
Lay St Patrick's Athletic @ 1.9 v Dundalk
Back Cork City to beat Drogheda @ 2.64
Back Under 2.5 Goals in Bray v Derry 2.38

Bet HERE

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