7/5 Swifts the bet of the week

EIRCOM LEAGUE OF IRELAND PREMIER DIVISION

BOHEMIANS V SLIGO ROVERS

Bohs may have kick started their season with their midweek victory over Shamrock Rovers. Glen Crowe netted for the second successive game; a boon to all at the club. Sligo Rovers haven’t conceded since their seasonal opener versus Derry City, and have taken maximum points without conceding, from their two engagements on the road thus far. Not bad for a managerless side. Conor O’Grady is suspended for the visitors, who would like nothing better than to complicate Sean Connor’s task at the Big Club. Blue Square are EVS on the Bohs win, it's not quite big enough for me, but anything spotted at odds against will be snapped up.

Stan James Prices
8/11 Bohs
9/4 Draw
10/3 Sligo

Sligo Rovers 1-0 Bohemians Eircom League Premier Division 2006 9 Sep 06 View Details
Bohemians 0-2 Sligo Rovers Eircom League Premier Division 2006 23 Jun 06 View Details
Sligo Rovers 1-0 Bohemians Eircom League Premier Division 2006 18 Mar 06 View Details



BRAY WANDERERS V SHAMROCK ROVERS

Rovers are not quite up to speed yet; their victories have come against hapless Longford Town and fellow promoted side Galway United. They acquitted themselves well in the first half of their clash with Bohs, but the continuing absence of Aidan Price didn’t help in a torrid second half. Fortunately for them, they are up against a Bray side, which seemed to have no understanding of the rudiments of defensive cohesion when they shipped three early bodyblows at Richmond Park last weekend. Eddie Gormley will be looking for a big improvement from his charges. Chris O’Connor is suspended for the Seagulls while there are doubts over Stephen Fox and Colm Tresson. Again Blue Square look a little big as they go 8/5 Rovers, but not big enough to get involved.

Stan James Prices
7/4 Bray
2/1 Draw
11/8 Shamrock Rovers

No meetings between these two sides last season.


GALWAY UNITED V ST. PATRICK’S ATHLETIC

The Tribesmen are the latest fodder for the SuperSaints goalscoring machine; the most optimistic members of the noisy Tribal Army can believe that Pats’ run has to end sometime. Tony Cousins’ side have yet to muster a league win this season and they didn’t inspire confidence as they stuttered past Monaghan United in their midweek League Cup assignment. United need to start taking their chances; NOW. I'm not quite ready to oppose Pats although they miss Anto Murphy and John Frost here. We'll sit this one out.

No meetings between these two sides last season.

Stan James Prices
3/1 Galway
9/4 Draw
4/5 St Pats


LONGFORD TOWN V DROGHEDA UNITED
It's been a dismal start to the season for Alan Matthews' Longford side as they have lost all 4 league matches thus far. Drogheda on the other hand are showing some real form and will travel to Flancare Park confident of leaving with three more points. The confidence is warranted and Drogheda should be included in all multiple bets this weekend and I'll be looking to back them in a single at the best price on offer - 10/11 would be real value.

Stan James Prices
7/2 Longford
12/5 Draw
4/6 Drogheda


UCD V WATERFORD UNITED

The euphoria of the Blues opening day victory over Cork City has quickly evaporated to be replaced by the reality of three successive defeats. Their League Cup dismissal of a jaded Wexford Youths was a formality; that can’t be said of any meeting with UCD. The Students as ever are struggling for goals, but mean at the back. Pete Mahon will be targeting this tie as a golden opportunity for three points. 1-0 will do for the home side, who still await the return of the influential Tony McDonnell. Any fancy prices on the 0-0 or 1-0 UCD should be taken.

Stan James Prices
EVS UCD
2/1 Draw
5/2 Waterford

Waterford United 0-0 UCD Eircom League Premier Division 2006 15 Sep 06 View Details
UCD 2-1 Waterford United Eircom League Premier Division 2006 26 Jun 06 View Details
Waterford United 0-1 UCD Eircom League Premier Division 2006 24 Mar 06 View Details


DERRY CITY V CORK CITY

Recent history suggests that there’ll be little between this pair after 90 minutes of this weekend’s live TV offering. Neither side have yet hit their cruising speed; respective upheavals have taken their toll. Nutsy’s needs are more urgent following the Candystripes collapse against a second-string Glentoran side last time out. Peter Hynes’ availability will rankle with el Rico, as his potential star pairing continue to refine their spectating abilities. If this was Timeform, the squiggle of uncertainty would be on both these sides. Sit it out, back the unders if you must.

Stan James Prices
EVS Derry
2/1 Draw
5/2 Cork City

Derry City 1-0 Cork City Eircom League Premier Division 2006 17 Nov 06 View Details
Cork City 1-1 Derry City Eircom League Premier Division 2006 18 Aug 06 View Details
Derry City 2-0 Cork City Eircom League Premier Division 2006 20 May 06 View Details

CARNEGIE IRISH PREMIER LEAGUE

ARMAGH CITY V DONEGAL CELTIC

City did this week’s opponents a huge favour when cutting off Larne’s revival last time out. DC are in desperation mode now. Impressive results against top sides bring no bonus points and they are scrapping for their Premier League lives following four consecutive defeats. If Paddy Kelly’s side are to win on the road at all this season, this is their cue. 5/2 DC with Skybet is too big.

Stan James Prices
5/4 Armagh
9/4 Draw
7/4 Donegal Celtic

Donegal Celtic 1-2 Armagh City Carnegie Premier League 2006/07 1 Dec 06 View Details



BALLYMENA UNITED V LARNE

Can the Braidmen extract themselves from the doldrums of their semi-final failure versus Linfield? The kudos of being part of a great quarter-final means little to the vanquished. Larne have everything to fight for, and Paul Curran has his men primed for survival. Skybet are an overly generous 5/1 on Curran's motivated outfit.

Stan James Prices
8/11 Ballymena
9/4 Draw
10/3 Larne

Larne 0-1 Ballymena United Carnegie Premier League 2006/07 1 Dec 06 View Details


CLIFTONVILLE V NEWRY CITY

City have won their last four games including their midweek cup triumph. Cliftonville have lost that winning habit at a crucial point in the season. Nonetheless, it’s still all to play for in the pursuit of Linfield for Eddie Patterson’s Side; great sides lose and move on. The Reds may not yet be great, but they've enough about them to win this game. At the price they can be watched.

Stan James Prices
1/2 Cliftonville
12/5 Draw
11/2 Newry

Newry City 1-2 Cliftonville Carnegie Premier League 2006/07 12 Dec 06 View Details


CRUSADERS V GLENAVON

Lately, if Glenavon want to win they need to score four goals. That’s a tall order for the underperforming Lurganmen who can feel the frantic breathing of Donegal Celtic and Larne on their rear. Crusaders are just as desperate for these three points; they are still in the hunt for fourth spot although their form has been erratic recently. Again Skybet are overly generous with the 5/1 Glenavon.

Stan James Prices
4/6 Crusaders
12/5 Draw
7/2 Glenavon

Glenavon 0-1 Crusaders Carnegie Premier League 2006/07 1 Dec 06 View Details



DUNGANNON SWIFTS V LISBURN DISTILLERY

The Stangmore Blues have begun to display of late, some of the swagger which had disappeared from their game. There are Cup final places up for grabs, not to mention an outside chance of clinching fourth spot for a third consecutive season.
The Ballyskeagh men are in much the same vein, and there’ll be little to choose between the pair at the New Grosvenor. Home advantage gives Dungannon the edge, Sporting Odds are 7/5 against the Swifts - definitely a betting price, they are way out of line.

Stan James Prices
EVS Dungannon
9/4 Draw
9/4 Lisburn

Lisburn Distillery 1-0 Dungannon Swifts Carnegie Premier League 2006/07 1 Dec 06 View Details


LIMAVADY UNITED V GLENTORAN

The Glens have scored twelve, conceding just one in their last five league outings; those consecutive victories hearalding their return to the centre of the title race. With their showdown against the leaders close at hand, there is no room for error against a Roesiders squad which has lost on its last two outings. Glens to win, but you just couldn't back them away from home at 2s on.

Stan James Prices
11/2 Limavady
12/5 Draw
1/2 Glentoran

Glentoran 3-0 Limavady Utd Carnegie Premier League 2006/07 5 Dec 06 View Details


LINFIELD V COLERAINE

The Blues didn’t have it all their own way in the reverse fixture earlier in the season. This is one of those greasy fixtures which the chasing pack will be watching closely; in the hope that the mercurial Linfield squad somehow underestimate the danger of their opposition. Of course the Bannsiders have notions of a fourth place finish themselves, and Daithi Mor’s side will know they’ve been in a game at 5 0’clock on Saturday.

Stan James Prices
4/9 Linfield
13/5 Draw
6/1 Coleraine

Coleraine 2-2 Linfield Carnegie Premier League 2006/07 1 Dec 06 View Details


PORTADOWN V LOUGHGALL

Today’s thankless task falls to Portadown. The lawe of averages suggests that Loughgall will ambush someone this season as they continue to search for their first league victory of a forgettable campaign. No manager, no wins, the defensive capabilities of Venus de Milo…a lethal cocktail for any side harbouring ambitions of a place in the higher echelons of the league table. Skybet must think it's Christmas rather than Easter as they offer 14/1 for a Loughgall win - ok it probably wont get a return, but at 14/1 I'd back a team of girls under 12's to put it up to Ronnie rudderless reds.

Stan James Prices
1/5 Portadown
4/1 Draw
11/1 Loughgall

Loughgall 0-3 Portadown Carnegie Premier League 2006/07 1 Dec 06 View Details