English Premier
2009-05-22 - Dundalk vs Saint Patricks
A Sports Betting Pick by Stephen
Football: Republic of Ireland, Premier League
Friday, 22nd May 2009 - Kickoff 19:45
DUNDALK (Home Form W2 D0 L3)
Dundalk made their return to the Premier Division this season and it has not gone too badly for them. They currently sit in 6th place out of 10 teams with 13 points. They are one point ahead of opponents St Patricks Athletic.
Boss Sean Connor made some excellent signings in the pre-season including George O Callaghan, Dave Rodgers and Thomas Heary. All 3 have league winners medals with Cork, Shelbourne and Bohemians respectively.
O Callaghan was especially a good signing as he has been one of the outstanding players in the League for several years. His recent move to England to Ipswich Town didnt go according to plan as personal problems got in the way. Connor made a shrewd bit of business by signing the Midfielder, although he is still to find his best form for the club.
Dundalk have look more solid in recent weeks and have only lost 1 out of their last 5 games, which was a heavy 5-0 defeat to champions and favourites to retain their crown Bohemians.
Their home form has been inconsistent with 2 wins and 3 defeats however those defeats came against 3 of the top 4 teams in Bohs, Shamrock Rovers and Cork. Dundalk led for most of the Cork game and only lost with 2 late goals.
Dundalk have also had a couple of excellent wins on the road including a 2-1 win over one of the title chasing sides, Derry City.
Last 5 Home Games
Dundalk 0-1 Bohemians
Dundalk 3-0 Drogheda
Dundalk 0-1 Shamrock Rovers
Dundalk 1-2 Cork City
Dundalk 1-0 Galway
ST PATRICKS ATHLETIC (Away Form W2 D0 L4)
St Pats currently sit in 7th position on 13 points from 12 games.
They had a great start to the season winning 3 out of 4 games But since then, they have managed to pick up only 4 points from the last 8 games. They have lost their last 4 away games and been on the receiving end of some convincing defeats, especially at home.
St Pats finished runners up last season for the second season running and have been one of the top sides in the League over the last decade. However after seeing several key players depart in the off season due to finanical problems they were not expected to do so well this season but for many St Pats fans it still has not been good enough.
Boss Jeff Kenna is now coming under some pressure and his cause has not been helped after last weeks departure of his Assistant Manager Paul Peschisolido who left to take over as manager of Burton Albion.
St Pats also have 3 important players missing through injuries. Broken Legs to both Gary Dempsey and Mark Leech keeps them out for several more weeks while striker Glenn Fitzpatrick is still recovering from suffering a seizure in the games against Bohemians a few weeks back.
But it hasnt all been bad for the Dublin club this season. They have still managed a couple of excellent result away from home, including a 1-0 over league leaders Cork City
Last 5 Away Games :
Sligo Rovers 0-1 St Patricks Athletic
Bray 2-1 St Patricks Athletic
Bohs 3-0 St Patricks Athletic
Shamrock Rovers 2-0 St Patricks Athletic
Galway 2-1 St Patricks Athletic
THe BETTING VERDICT
I fancy Dundalk to win this one and to further add to St Pats poor form of late.
DUNDALK at 11/8 to WIN is great value for me and also consider the under 2.5 GOALS option at 4/7.
Three of Dundalk's home games have ended in 1-0 scorelines while St Pats have only scored 4 goals away from home in their 6 fixtures on the road.
The Pick :
Dundalk 1-0 St Patricks Athletic
