Pats the pick out west

Bohemians v Galway United

The heavy legs and hearts of the Bohs squad must raise themselves for the visit of Galway United - only Drogheda United have lost fewer on the road than the Tribesmen. Sean Connor is without the option of Des Byrne who serves the first of a 2 match ban, and the injured Thomas Heary. Darren Mansaram should have recovered from his midweek injury, but is a doubt. Neale Fenn and Michael McGinley stand by for the side who have lost just one of their last seven league assignments. Chris Turner and Mark Rossiter may return; both were unavailable for the League Cup Final. Galway have been a mixed bag as befits a side dallying on the fringes of relegation. Last week's vital win over Longford Town has given them some room to breathe and the return of Stephen O'Flynn and Regi Nooitmeer to the squad will boost their spirits. Daryl Robson may be considered by TC as he nears full fitness. Bohs are 4/6 with Bet365 - a value bet.

Previous meetings:
Galway Utd 0-1 Bohemians Eircom League Premier Division 2007 25 May 07 ->>
Bohemians 1-1 Galway Utd Eircom League Premier Division 2007 20 Apr 07 ->>

Stan James Prices
Bohs 8/15
Draw 12/5
Galway 5/1


Bray Wanderers v Cork City

Cork City put their eleven-match unbeaten jaunt on the line at the Carlisle Grounds; but they may have to do so without the guidance of suspended skipper Dan Murray, John Sicknote O'Flynn, Daragh Ryan and Joe Gamble. Colin O'Brien is likely to continue should Gamble miss out , with Leon McSweeney partnering the white-hot Denis Behan up front. Sean Kelly should step up to partner Brian O'Callaghan at the heartbeat of the defence. Bray will be without centre half Clive Delaney and midfielder Mark Duggan through suspension. Speaking of eleven games - that's how many Colin Tresson has missed through injury, his heel is healing, but this game comes too soon for him. Paul Dunphy returns from a ban - The Seagulls have won just once in their last ten attempts, but Cork have not managed to defeat them thus far this term. There's plenty of 5/6 about should you fancy the Leesiders.

Previous meetings:
Cork City 2-2 Bray Wanderers Eircom League Premier Division 2007 27 Aug 07 ->>
Bray Wanderers 1-1 Cork City Eircom League Premier Division 2007 20 Apr 07 ->>
Bray Wanderers 2-1 Cork City Eircom League Premier Division 2006 13 Oct 06 ->>
Cork City 6-0 Bray Wanderers Eircom League Premier Division 2006 29 Sep 06 ->>
Bray Wanderers 0-0 Cork City Eircom League Premier Division 2006 14 Apr 06 ->>

Stan James Prices
Bray 7/2
Draw 12/5
Cork 4/6



Derry City v UCD

Two sides with little to play for meet at the Brandywell; there may be a few sore heads wearing the new Candystripe strip following their midweek success, it's all about next season for Derry City now. Still on the casualty list are Alan Moore, Mark McChrystal, Sammy Morrow and Gary Beckett; fortunately City are untouched by suspensions. Midtable nestmates UCD are building towards a cup semi-final date in two weeks; Paul Byrne is being eased back into the frame, but Shane McFaul misses out through suspension as does the injured Derek Doyle. Shane Fitzgerald's hamstring may not be risked as Pete Mahon caresses his side towards the RDS. This has an end of season look about it and money is best invested elsewhere.

Previous meetings:
Derry City 0-1 UCD Ford FAI Cup 2007 21 Sep 07 ->>
Derry City 3-0 UCD Eircom League Cup 2007 28 Aug 07 ->>
UCD 1-1 Derry City Eircom League Premier Division 2007 25 May 07 ->>
Derry City 0-1 UCD Eircom League Premier Division 2007 20 Apr 07 ->>
Derry City 2-0 UCD Ford FAI Cup 2006 1 Oct 06 ->>

Stan James Prices
Derry 8/13
Draw 12/5
UCD 4/1



Shamrock Rovers v Drogheda United

Oh what a cracker this could have been, but consecutive defeats have fatally derailed Rovers' title challenge. Of course Pat Scully's side will be going flat out for the win in their efforts to secure second spot, but the absence of Barry Ferguson through suspension will not help their cause. Aidan Price, and Padraig Amond are long-term casualties, while John Martin sits this one out through injury also. United are one of only two sides to collect the maximum at Tolka Park this season, and they have only failed to collect points just once on the road this term. A draw will do nicely for Paul Doolin's squad; Aidan O'Keefe returns to the fold for the game. Little value in betting here, though if anything the draw is a little overpriced.

Previous meetings:
Drogheda Utd 0-2 Shamrock Rovers Eircom League Premier Division 2007 25 May 07 ->>
Drogheda Utd 0-3 Shamrock Rovers Eircom League Cup 2007 8 May 07 ->>
Shamrock Rovers 1-2 Drogheda Utd Eircom League Premier Division 2007 20 Apr 07 ->>

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



Sligo Rovers v St. Patrick's Athletic

Rovers have fallen off the pace with defeats in their last two outings; they've also failed to score in four of their last six games. Seamus Coleman is away with Don Givens' U21 side and Adam Hughes is the victim of a head injury sustained at home and is a serious doubt. Darragh Maguire made a welcome return to the Pats' defence during last week's defeat to Bohs - they're fourth failure in seven games. Pats are 6/4 with Ladbrokes, it's a good a bet as you'll find in this week's fixtures.

Previous meetings:
St Patricks Athletic 3-1 Sligo Rovers Eircom League Premier Division 2007 25 May 07 ->>
Sligo Rovers 0-4 St Patricks Athletic Eircom League Premier Division 2007 21 Apr 07 ->>
Sligo Rovers 3-2 St Patricks Athletic Eircom League Premier Division 2006 23 Sep 06 ->>
St Patricks Athletic 3-1 Sligo Rovers Eircom League Premier Division 2006 30 Jun 06 ->>
Sligo Rovers 1-1 St Patricks Athletic Eircom League Premier Division 2006 1 Apr 06 ->>

Stan James Prices
Sligo 15/8
Draw 11/5
Pats 6/5



Longford Town v Waterford United

An absolute must win for Longford Town who would still trail their closest rivals by 2 points should they achieve victory. Kevin Doherty and Jamie Duffy return for the hosts, tempered by the absence of Dave Freeman and the suspended Damien Brennan. Dave Mooney is the key man for the Town, now the division's No1 marksman - but his side's superb run has hit a wall with three consecutive league defeats. The Blues arrive off the back of a win over Derry last week; their form has been erratic at the best of times. Kenny Browne and Daryl Kavanagh are long-term absentees; Karl Bermingham and Packie Holden may return, although the latter is unlikely to oust Dean Delaney. Better off playing the lotto than trying to pick a winner here.

Previous meetings:
Waterford United 2-1 Longford Town Eircom League Premier Division 2007 25 May 07 ->>
Longford Town 1-0 Waterford United Eircom League Premier Division 2007 20 Apr 07 ->>
Waterford United 1-2 Longford Town Eircom League Premier Division 2006 20 Oct 06 ->>
Longford Town 1-0 Waterford United Ford FAI Cup 2006 28 Aug 06 ->>
Waterford United 1-1 Longford Town Ford FAI Cup 2006 25 Aug 06 ->>


Stan James Prices
Longford 10/11
Draw 9/4
Waterford 5/2