Cork to add to Sligo woes

Linfield v Drogheda United

Previous meetings have seen sunlight struggle to part this pair, and we can expect more of the same on Saturday. Ever since Shane Barrett was carried off just seven minutes into Drogheda's opening game of the season against the Blues, their treatment table has been at full occupancy. Injuries still loom large in the holder's preparations, but they should still field a strong eleven. Given the leg weary look of Linfield in their last two outings, United's full time status may give them the slightest of edges at Windsor Park, however it looks to tight to punt on. Might be some value in the cup final specials.

Previous meetings:
Linfield 0-0 Drogheda Utd Setanta Sports Cup 2007 2 Apr 07 View Details
Drogheda Utd 0-1 Linfield Setanta Sports Cup 2007 26 Feb 07 View Details
Linfield 0-1 Drogheda Utd Setanta Sports Cup 2006 11 Apr 06 View Details

Stan James prices
Linfield 11/8
Draw 15/8
Drogheda 15/8


Bohemians v Longford Town

Bohemians continuing reticence in front of goal will be welcomed by a Longford side which is beginning to find some self-belief. The visitors have actually found the back of the net this season more often than their opponents; but have yet to register a win on the road. Sean Connor's side remain unbeaten at Dalymount. After 4 consecutive draws the Bohs faithful will be demanding a win against Alan Matthews men, who are now unbeaten in four games. Bohs are too short to support and I don't really fancy taking them on either - pass.

Previous meetings:
Longford Town 3-0 Bohemians Eircom League Premier Division 2006 4 Nov 06 View Details
Bohemians 0-1 Longford Town Eircom League Premier Division 2006 4 Aug 06 View Details
Longford Town 3-1 Bohemians Eircom League Premier Division 2006 6 May 06 View Details

Stan James prices
Bohs 8/13
Draw 12/5
Longford 4/1


UCD v St. Patricks Athletic

Hot on the heels of their League Cup meeting, this pair meet at Belfield. The Students will have nothing to fear following their midweek success. They continue to plan without the injured Ronan Finn, while Stephen Paisley pays the price for upending Roy O'Donovan last week as he serves a suspension. With Drogheda not in league action this weekend, Pats are presented with a perfect opportunity to open a four-point gap at the top. They'll not have it their own way at the College. It may be the proverbial hard place to win, but Coral are big on Pats at 11/8.

Previous meetings:
St Patricks Athletic 0-1 UCD Eircom League Cup 2007 7 May 07 View Details
UCD 0-0 St Patricks Athletic Eircom League Premier Division 2006 8 Sep 06 View Details
St Patricks Athletic 0-0 UCD Eircom League Premier Division 2006 23 Jun 06 View Details
UCD 0-1 St Patricks Athletic Eircom League Premier Division 2006 17 Mar 06 View Details

Stan James Prices
UCD 9/4
Draw 2/1
Pats 11/10


Waterford United v Galway United

Gareth Cronin's men halted a run of six successive defeats with draws in their last two outings. Galway United are also exiting their poor start to the season, and have strung a run of four unbeaten games together. The time is nigh for wins rather than draws for the full-timers, but remember Waterford managed to take a point from high-flying Drogheda last weekend. Most bookies make this a 50-50 game or therabouts. I'd want 2/1 either side before having a bet. Bet Chronicle are 1.93/1 against Galway if it gets much bigger it's time to play (the chronicle odds fluctuate a lot).

Previous meetings:
No meetings between these sides last season.

Stan James prices
Waterford 6/4
Draw 2/1
Galway 13/8

Sligo Rovers v Cork City

The injured Piotr Bajdziac serves a suspension for Paul Cook's side against the revitalised City outfit. Sligo remain something of an unknown quantity in the infancy of Cook's tenure. Nonetheless they are now six games without a win in all competitions; shipping 13 goals in the process; and the loss of a 2-goal lead against first division Finn Harps in their League Cup meeting won't help morale much. Cork have reinstated their title challenge following last week's crucial win over leaders St. Pats, and remain unbeaten in the league since their opening day setback at Waterford. They shut Sligo out in all three meetings last season, and look capable of repeating the feat. Both Hills and Paddy Power are 11/10 Cork, I reckon it's a betting price.

Previous meetings:
Cork City 2-0 Sligo Rovers Eircom League Premier Division 2006 20 Oct 06 View Details
Sligo Rovers 0-3 Cork City Eircom League Premier Division 2006 12 Sep 06 View Details
Cork City 2-0 Sligo Rovers Eircom League Premier Division 2006 2 May 06 View Details


Stan James prices
Sligo 3/1
Draw 9/4
Cork 4/5

Derry City v Shamrock Rovers

Nutsy must be wondering when his side are going to get a morale boosting handy fixture - not this week, as Pat Scully's hard working Hoops come to the Brandywell for a televised fixture. The experienced Danny O'Connor is suspended for the visitors, who bounced back from two consecutive defeats with that last gasp win over the Bit O'Red. Derry seem to be very slowly finding their way back towards the surface; but these TV games seem to bring out the entertainer in their 'keepers; a good time to visit the Brandywell so. BetFred are 7/2 against Shamrock Rovers, it's a little big and deserves a small stake.

Previous meetings:
No meetings between these sides last season.

Stan James prices
Derry EVS
Draw 2/1
Rovers 5/2