Biggest favorites for the title, Dundalk, will host Monaghan which aim is mid-table position this season, but they could also be involved in promotional fight if they can make bigger winning streak. Dundalk played derby match against Shelbourne as season opener and showed good play. Although they played with 10 men from 40 mins following suspension of their goalie Bennion, they were better team and only luck saved Shels from defeat, final result was 0:0. That result is even better if you know that Dundalk played last 10 or so mins with only nine players, as their defender Whelehan got injured and Dundalk didn't had any more substitutes.

Monaghan also had good start, winning over Linfield in a tight affair. They could win it with even bigger margin, but their inefficiency showed again (they had one of the worst attacks in last season too). Their only goal came from penalty and in the end they even had to defend that one goal lead.

Both teams had good start, Monaghan was a bit more lucky and won, but Dundalk also can be satisfied with one point from Dublin. I don't need to say that Dundalk has more quality and squad depth in their team. This is northern derby and therefor teams will have some "extra" motivation. Dundalk will have some problems with missings as their goalie Bennion is suspended, same as captain Lynch. Except them, defenders Flanagan and Whelehan are questionable, while midfielder Crowley will return to team. Monaghan won't have bigger injury issues, but their long term injured midfielder Stephen Finnegan will skip this game as well.

In pre-season both teams showed good results, that especially goes for Dundalk who made great results against top Eircom teams:

29 February - Derry City 3-2 Dundalk

26 February - Bohemians 1-1 Dundalk

21 February - Dundalk 1-2 Shamrock Rovers

14 February - Dundalk 0-2 Bray Wanderers

12 February - Dundalk 1-0 Saint Patrick’s Athletic

7 February - Dundalk 0-0 Drogheda United

29 February - UCD 1-0 Monaghan

23 February - Derry City 3-2 Monaghan

2 February - Bohemians 1-0 Monaghan

28 January - Bray Wanderers 0-1 Monaghan

Oriel Park is usually deadly for visiting teams, Dundalk last season had 13 wins in 18 games and Monaghan usually didn't had good results here. In fact they've lost last four games with goal difference 2:11. If there weren't this missings in home squad i would probably play it higher, but under this circumstances i think medium bet is enough. Dundalk is better team, and despite missing captain and first goalie they should show it on the pitch. I don't expect Monaghan to score at all and my estimation of result is between 1, 2 or 3:0...

Pick : Dundalk
Odds : 1.98
Stake : 5 / 10
Bookmaker : Pinnacle
Date : 2008-03-13
Match Result : 3-0
Tipster Personal Link/Sponsor: http://scythe.blogabet.com/

Viewed 866 times.