Race to the Top Half

With the top five spots in the eircom League Premier Division looking assured in terms of contenders though certainly not yet finishing order, El Punter's attention turns to an intriguing race to finish in the remaining top 6 spot. Technically the prices are 'Who will finish highest from Bohemians, Sligo Rovers, Dublin City, Longford Town and UCD'

Fallen giants Bohemians look best equipped in terms of personel to finish in the top half, but factors such as form, confidence and motivation leave big question marks over the Phibsboro club. However Gareth Farrely's men are only one point behind in this race and are certainly not to be discounted yet. Players such as Kelly, Ward and Arkins have yet to find their groove this season, but if they do, the goals will flow. Bohemians - Odds 7/4

Neck and neck above Bohs at this stage are the top flight's two newcomers. Sligo Rovers and Dublin City have proved beyond doubt that they will be no-one's whipping boys this year. Indeed, it's one of the stories of the year so far that the two promoted teams should find themselves in the dizzy heights of sixth and seventh place.

Rovers have one game less played than the Vikings and look a very assured side at home in particular. Their 3-1 win over Longford at The Showgrounds, came on the back of a 4-0 cup win, and a 0-0 with Drogheda. You could say the World Cup break has done Rovers no favours at all. It will be interesting to see what momentum they bring in to the second stanza of the season. Sligo Rovers - Odds 2/1

For all of Dermot Keely's squawking and complaining about refs, his players, other players and anything else he is asked about, the glass half empty philosophy has kept his Vikings ship well afloat so far. They are consistent in that they tend to lose the games you expect them to, and also get the results against the teams below. Such is the recipe for a respectable - though maybe not top six - finish. Dublin City - Odds 8/1

Pete Mahon's students won't be entirely happy with their position at the moment. Some might say anywhere above the bottom two is an achievement for UCD but that's not the attitude they bring to the league. There's arguably little or nothing between themselves and the promoted sides, so the mission is certainly to finish above them and challenge for the top six spot. UCD take a four game unbeaten run in to the league's resumption at the weekend with a tricky trip to Inchicore. UCD - Odds 8/1

Cup specialists Longford Town got off to a very disappointing start. Never the most goal crazy team in the league, it was still a shocking statistic to see that after seven league games the Flancare Park boys had scored only two goals. A pasting of a poor Bohs side was an indication that things may be starting to turn a little, but three successive league defeats including ones to Bray and Sligo have pissed all over that spark of optimism.

Almost inexplicably Alan Matthew's men knocked Cork out of the cup during this period. They look to have their work cut out to leave the bottom three at the moment - never mind troubling the top six. With the undoubted ability to beat any team on their day, questions must be asked about the character and motivations of this side. If they were a racehorse you'd say they were a monkey...if you know what I mean. Longford Town - Odds 11/4

Bray and Waterford, it's all gone very wrong, they never got out of the stalls. We won't waste space talking about their top six chances.

Prices are from Stan James
Click Here to sign up and receive a Free Bet matching the value of the first settled bet you place with them (up to approx Eur40)

Bohemians 7/4
Sligo Rovers 2/1
Longford Town 11/4
Dublin City 8/1
UCD 8/1

Navigate to 'Football Ante Post -> Irish Football' to place your bets