Shels were one of the best Premier League clubs during the season 2006/07 in which they've won the title as well, and played in CL Qualif. Due to administrative problems they were relegated to First Division and all the players left leaving them with youngsters. In the 2nd part of 2007/08 season club finally got on it's feet and brought some "fresh blood" to club. They never had realistic chances of getting something in that season, but they tried managing to take 26 points from 13 games, losing only to Finn Harps three times (at that time the hottest team in First Division, in great form and with winning streak of over 20 games). When they discovered that their chances for promotion are non-existant they started to prepare for next season. This season their main aim is promotion, but they also want title. It didn't started good for them, with home draw vs rivals Dundalk, in game in which they had two players more at the end and they had to "save" that point. In next games they've improved, beating Kildare 3:1 away, but in next round Monaghan managed to surprise them beating them 0:1. Not the best results, but they overcome that as in mid week they eliminated another strong team from the Cup, Sporting Fingal. It was 2:2 after regular time, but Shels won on penalties.

Athlone is main reason why i bet on Shels. They had first match vs Kildare postponed. In 2nd they lost to Sporting Fingal 0:2, and in third they draw with Waterford only thanks to the awful pitch and bad weather, inforced with bad performance of the guests. I saw some highlights of that match and it was dead match, without real chances. Seems like Athlone goalie is total amateur as he dropped the ball few times (after saves). In mid week Athlone played Cup match with Bray, easily losing 0:3, although they had some chances in first half. Overall impression about them from that three games is that they can't score, and don't have fitness to last for whole 90 mins. It could also be because few of their "important" players are well over 30.

Conclusion: Except quality difference which should be obvious, Shels are playing their 2nd home match, and although they weren't bright in their first one, they are well able to beat weak teams as Athlone. Athlone is totally unable to score, and their defense and especially goalie make mistakes. I can see Shels winning this one with two or three, in worst case plain minimal win.

Predicted score: 3:0

Pick : Shelbourne
Odds : 1.67
Stake : 9 / 10
Bookmaker : Stan James
Date : 2008-03-28
Match Result : 2-0
Tipster Personal Link/Sponsor: http://scythe.blogabet.com/

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