UCD v Derry City (Premier Division)
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Monday 4th April – 7:45PM KO
Irish Football is back on Monday night and it’s the start of a very busy month for league leaders Derry City with Monday’s rearranged trip to the UCD Bowl the first of six matches in April. Having struck late yet again on Friday night in the win away to Bohemians, Derry boss Ruaidhri Higgins may opt to rotate with a derby game with Finn Harps to come at the weekend.
Should the Candystripes decide to chop and change that may give UCD hope that they can get something from this one but in truth, even Derry’s “B” team should be capable of claiming maximum points against the league’s bottom side.
UCD made it as awkward as possible for long periods against Dundalk on Friday but the Lilywhites had enough class to find a way past the stubborn Students and Derry City should be able to do likewise here.
Andy Meyler’s side were the top scorers in the First Division last season, but have now failed to score in five of their seven matches, upon stepping up to the top-flight. There is a huge overreliance on Irish under-21 international, Liam Kerrigan to create for the College and with last season’s top marksman, Colm Whelan still looking for his first Premier Division goal the Oman’s are not good for last season’s play-off winners.
Late goals have been a feature of Higgins time in charge of Derry City and the Foylesiders are already displaying the attitude of champions in terms of finding a way to get the job done. Don’t be surprised if they have to huff and puff but find a way to grind out another big three points on Monday.
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Prediction: Derry City to Win, 1.40 on Betfair (⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️)
Treaty United v Athlone Town (First Division)
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Monday 4th April – 7:45PM KO
Athlone Town finally collected their first point of the season on Friday, thanks to a 1-1 draw at home to Bray Wanderers. However, if any side were going to be the first to fail to take maximum points from a meeting with Athlone then Bray Wanderers would have been at the very top of the predictions shortlist.
The Couty Wicklow sides incredibly negative approach to the game under unpopular boss Pat Devlin always meant a slip up was likely as Bray simply don’t score enough goals while Athlone, to their credit as poor as they have been this season, they have still managed to find the back of the net in every game they’ve played this term.
As for Treaty United, Tommy Barrett’s troops bounced back from a desperate home hammering against Cork City with a brilliant win over Waterford before putting their feet up at the weekend with it being their turn for a bye (there are only 9 teams in the division this season).
The pitch at the Market Fields has been a long publicised issue and it very much is something I take into account when predicting games in this league. However, for once, this may be a game where the poor playing surface actually suits Treaty as they very much have the ability to mix up their approach with a more direct game plan while Athlone Town, who play on a 4g surface at home, do like to try and play a more passing game.
In Thomas Oluwa and Carlton Ubaezuonu they’ve got two pace merchants who can get in behind and cause problems for defenders. However, they may struggle for any real service here and I fully expect Treaty United to run out comfortable winners on home soil.
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Prediction: Treaty United to Win, 1.57 on Betfair (⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️)
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