Taking the Longview

Time for a little ganderoo at the state of play in the title race folks.

Shels impressive surge to the summit of the top premier division inspired by the imperious Joey Ndo has seen them tip in to odds-on territory to regain the championship title.

They are now 1/2 at Stan James as they sit two points clear of closest rivals Derry City - who have a game in hand. It is of course Shels blistering form rather than their narrow points lead which has them at such prohibitive odds. However when you consider they have scored 12 more league goals than any of their competitors this season the short price makes more sense.

Derry and Cork are next in the betting, both on offer at 4/1. The Brandywell side are clearly a value option at this price, they have done absolutely nothing to suggest that they are not capable of winning the league. In fact only a sickening defeat at Tolka Park has them below Shels in the table. Kenny's men were pipped at the post last year and unlike Cork have continued to improve their side since then.

Cork are 8 points adrift of Shels, and with their failure to improve the squad significantly during the transfer window I don't see how they can turn it around. They badly need a win at Tolka this weekend. Shels have scored almost 3 times as many goals as Cork in the league this season. Need I continue?

Doolo's Drogs have hit a period of adverse form. Shipping three goals at home to Shels recently will have been a big kick in the goolies to a team which has built it's title ambitions on a watertight defence. Their inability to put Longford to the sword recently despite having several chances does nothing to contradict the school of thought which says that Drogheda simply can not score enough goals to win the league. Anyone who cares to disagree can take the 7/1 on offer.

Shelbourne 1/2
Derry City 4/1
Cork City 4/1
Drogheda United 7/1