LOI Week 4 & Irish Cup/League Previews
From http://elpunter.blogspot.com/
Cliftonville v Dungannon Swifts
This JJB Sports cup semi-final represents the last realistic opportunity for both of these sides to capture some top drawer silverware this term.There's been the breadth of a horsefly's leg between them in four previous encounters this season, but Harry Fay's side have had the more demanding programme of late and won't be as fresh as the Reds coming into this one. Monday night's Setanta Cup drubbing won't help their confidence. Then again, Eddie P's men suffered a rare setback last weekend;and it will be interesting to see how they respond after going 800 minutes without conceding a goal before conceding two in ten minutes. Prices look right, no bet.
Stan James Prices
6/5 Cliftonville
11/5 Draw
15/8 Dungannon Swifts
Previous meetings:
Cliftonville 1-0 Dungannon Swifts Carnegie Premier League 2006/07 17 Feb 07
Dungannon Swifts 3-2 Cliftonville Carnegie Premier League 2006/07 21 Oct 06
Cliftonville 0-0 Dungannon Swifts CIS Insurance Cup 06/07 30 Aug 06
Dungannon Swifts 0-0 Cliftonville CIS Insurance Cup 06/07 19 Aug 06
Linfield v Ballymena United
United’s last result of note was their drawn tie against the Blues four weeks ago in the JJB Sports Cup. In the interim Daithi Mor has introduced the Irish League to squad rotation, and his men have rarely failed to impress. Their most recent exploits at Derry City last Monday night serve as a reminder to all that you dismiss this team at your peril. It’s hard not to believe that the Braidmen have blown their chance of dumping the holders out.
Stan James Prices
2/7 Linfield
10/3 Draw
8/1 Ballymena United
Previous meetings:
Ballymena United 1-1 Linfield JJB Irish Cup 2007 3 Mar 07
Linfield 2-0 Ballymena United Carnegie Premier League 2006/07 17 Feb 07
Ballymena United 0-0 Linfield Carnegie Premier League 2006/07 21 Oct 06
Portadown v Larne
Gareth McKeown and Mickey Collins are suspended for Ports who must still be reeling from the seven-goal thrashing they suffered in their latest Setanta Cup collapse. PC’s men shipped a blow to their chances of topflight survival last week, but victory at Shamrock Park would lift them above Donegal Celtic - incentive enough for a hard working side. POrtadown simply can't be supported at the price. Pie-in-the-skybet go 4/1 a draw. Too big.
Stan James Prices
2/5 Portadown
11/4 Draw
13/2 Larne
Previous meetings:
Larne 0-1 Portadown Carnegie Premier League 2006/07 18 Nov 06
St. Patrick’s Athletic v Bray Wanderers
Neither side has any serious worries entering this clash; aside from the fact that nobody wants to be taking on Irish football’s Flashionistas at the moment. Johnny Macs’ side are oozing confidence and creativity every time they take to the pitch. Bray have started well enough, this will be a serious test for Eddie Gormley’s squad. However, I do feel the Pats hysteria is a little over the top and the time to oppose them is nigh though not quite tonight.
Stan James Prices
St.Pats 8/15
Draw 12/5
Bray 5/1
Previous meetings:
St Patricks Athletic 5-1 Bray Wanderers Eircom League Premier Division 2006 20 Oct 06
Bray Wanderers 1-2 St Patricks Athletic Eircom League Premier Division 2006 23 Jul 06
St Patricks Athletic 3-0 Bray Wanderers Eircom League Premier Division 2006 19 Apr 06
Bray Wanderers 1-2 St Patricks Athletic League Cup 2006 4 Apr 06
Shamrock Rovers v Galway United
This promoted pair have had mixed fortunes in the top tier thus far. Galway have defended poorly for the most part and have only a single point to show for their endeavours; Rovers defend first, and are unbeaten in their two engagements. Both squads are close to full strength; although Rovers lose David Cassidy and Barry Ferguson to suspension for this clash, as Tolka Park continues to host Premier Division football. Goals low looks a cert, Rovers may well end the season with the lowest goal concession record of the division. If any firms go up odds against Pat Scully's men it will be a betting price.
Stan James Prices
Rovers 10/11
Draw 2/1
Bray 3/1
Previous meetings:
Galway Utd 1-0 Shamrock Rovers Eircom League First Division 2006 6 Oct 06
Shamrock Rovers 1-0 Galway Utd Eircom League First Division 2006 4 Aug 06
Galway Utd 1-0 Shamrock Rovers Eircom League First Division 2006 2 Jun 06
Shamrock Rovers 0-0 Galway Utd Eircom League First Division 2006 24 Mar 06
Cork City v Longford Town
Cork City still await confirmation re. the availability of Messrs. Healy And Farrelly, while Darren Murphy is still out. It’s a big night for the Rebels as they finally reopen the infamous Shed. The visitors caused City plenty of problems last term, but have since seen their squad decimated; the absence of midfielder Gary Deegan through suspension further weakens a squad which has yet to garner a single point after three outings. El Rico’s men on the other hand are on a 4 match unbeaten run which has seen them keep a clean sheet while scoring 12 times, albeit 11 of those came against a luckless Portadown outfit. Can't see Cork slipping up, but at 4/9 they won't be sinking my money if they do.
Stan James Prices
Cork 4/9
Draw 13/5
Longford 6/1
Previous meetings:
Cork City 1-1 Longford Town Eircom League Premier Division 2006 6 Oct 06
Longford Town 0-2 Cork City Eircom League Premier Division 2006 8 Jul 06
Longford Town 2-1 Cork City FAI Cup 2006 26 May 06
Cork City 2-1 Longford Town Eircom League Premier Division 2006 7 Apr 06
Drogheda United v Derry City
Two of the league’s heavy hitters clash in this weekend’s live offering at a capacity limited United Park. Both sides have yet to properly engage the smooth running gear of last season, but there’s rarely much to choose between the pair. Ollie Cahill is an injury doubt for the Drogs, Stuart Byrne is suspended. With Shane Barrett, Dan Connor, Richie Baker, Graham Gartland, Steven Gray and James Keddy already out, the depth of Paul Doolin’s squad is already under examination. The Candystripes are still finding their way under Pat Fenlon’s leadership; for 45 minutes last Monday it seemed as though all the cogs had slipped seamlessly into place, and then…
Bet £3.65 are 6/4 against a Drogs win, it's tempting.
Stan James Prices
Drogheda 5/4
Draw 2/1
Derry 2/1
Previous meetings:
Derry City 0-0 Drogheda Utd Setanta Sports Cup 2007 12 Mar 07
Drogheda Utd 3-1 Derry City Eircom League Premier Division 2006 7 Nov 06
Derry City 0-0 Drogheda Utd Eircom League Premier Division 2006 20 Oct 06
Derry City 1-2 Drogheda Utd Eircom League Premier Division 2006 10 Oct 06
Waterford United v Bohemians
The home side have finally had Ray Scully cleared for action, but this is tempered by the absence through suspension of the influential Paul McCarthy along with the injury to Kenny Browne. Meanwhile the Gypsys - who have yet to score this season – are still smarting from their surprise loss at Bray Wanderers and will line out without Thomas Heary and Harpal Singh. Couldn't really back Bohs away from home at odds on.
Stan James Prices
Waterford 5/2
Draw 9/4
Bohs 10/11
Previous meetings:
Bohemians 3-1 Waterford United Eircom League Premier Division 2006 22 Sep 06
Waterford United 1-3 Bohemians Eircom League Premier Division 2006 30 Jun 06
Bohemians 4-2 Waterford United Eircom League Premier Division 2006 31 Mar 06
Sligo Rovers v UCD
Conor O’Grady and Gary Curran are missing for the Bit O’ Red. Leo Tierney has quickly steadied the ship at the Showgies, but they face a Students side which took maximum points in all three meetings last year. Pete Mahon’s side may be bolstered by the availability of Tony McDonnell and will not be fazed at losing two of their opening games. They gave the Drogs a scare at United Park, and could well have salvaged a point at home to Cork City last time out. Billy Hill is 11/4 against a UCD win, I'll be taking a bit of that.
Stan James Prices
Sligo 11/10
Draw 2/1
UCD 9/4
Previous meetings:
UCD 1-0 Sligo Rovers Eircom League Premier Division 2006 3 Nov 06
Sligo Rovers 0-1 UCD Eircom League Premier Division 2006 4 Aug 06
UCD 3-0 Sligo Rovers Eircom League Premier Division 2006 6 May 06
