I must admit that i didn't had much confidence in Derry, especially after first two rounds in which they had problems with bottom teams UCD and Harps. In next few rounds they had much tougher opposition, and still managed to maintain their unbeaten record. In fact as the season goes by they become much better and deserved all points that they collected since their last minute draw with Cork. Problem with them in first few games was their unfit defense with players that didn't used to play together. In last few games their defense was rock solid, and they've maintained clean sheet in their last three games (Drogheda, twice St. Patrick). Still, i'm not confident with them enough to make handicap bet, their defense can't stay unbeaten for long time and there is always possibility that they relax after recent good results against top teams. Furthermore, i'm not keen betting on teams that played in mid-week, and although Derry rested few players they could prove tired, especially as defensive midfielder Morrision and defender Delany got injured which will make some problems in defensive part.

I rated Sligo as mid-table team before season, and so far they played completely to estimations. They are eight with five points, but recorded first win in last round vs Cobh (3:1). Their manager Paul Cook faced some criticism before that match which resulted with some hard words

in post-match interview. Here's a quote: "We had a difficult start to the season and some of the press reports that I read I am not too pleased with. I think it brings pressure to the players and the club. We brought seven new players. We have a difficult start to the season, we got through in the cup, and we have won tonight and have five points. We are doing ok but it doesn't seem so for some people".

Sligo isn't team that should struggle to stay up, they had tough schedule playing versus Bohs, Pats and Drogs in first three rounds. I think no one could expect more from them as they lead at HT vs Pats, should won at least point versus Bohemians and draw with Drogs. My impression is that they are balanced team that can make few upsets. Scoring five goals in five games put them on fourth place in "goals scored" column which is pretty good for them. Problem could be defense which allowed six goals so far. Even weak Cobh made few good chances versus them, and scored a goal off course. They are expected to play 4-5-1 on Brandywell, but i don't think it's good for them, Brandywell is one of the bigger terrains in Ireland, it's hard to defend there and they will concede that way for sure, which will result in more open match. Two weeks ago even lower league side Kildrum managed to score against them.

Conclusion: Derry is in top form, with great atmosphere among the team, but also could be tired with packed schedule and few injuries that always follow them. So far they proved as highest scoring side in LOI, but they also conceded few. Sligo is well capable of scoring and conceding, if they come to defend as expected it will finish bad for them anyway (they used same tactics over few last years, look at the results: 1:4, 0:4, 1:3). Sligo is one of the rare sides in Ireland who could prove as "over" team. This margin looks good to me, and i expect at least three goals here, even if Sligo doesn't score.

Predicted score: 3:1

Pick : over 2,25
Odds : 2.05
Stake : 8 / 10
Bookmaker : Pinnacle
Date : 2008-04-11
Match Result : 0-0
Tipster Personal Link/Sponsor: http://scythe.blogabet.com/

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