Pats are my pick for a surprise of the season. Although many think of them as title contender, few truly believe they can archive it. Well, i remember them as a team who always starts good and cause of short depth on bench loses it's good position halfway through the season. This time they look better then in recent season and they could push for title. This season record reads five wins and a loss in league, plus win, draw and loss in Setanta Cup. Both loses came against Derry, while draw was in the opening Setanta Cup match versus Glentoran (3:3). Except that three games Pats outplayed their opposition, only Bohs were close to a point against them in a match with three red cards. IMO Pats slump has ended with two loses versus Derry. Since then they've won Harps 3:0 away and in mid week won Linfield 2:0. Being only team that managed to outplayed N. Irish side in Setanta (and that was Linfield only third loss in whole season, and they are in the very end of the season!!). Pats look again like solid team, and according to this early news they shouldn't have bigger injury issues.

Cobh is newcomer. Probably one of the worst teams in league, but i must admit that they are quite of surprise on their home ground - St. Colman's Park, and that there will be only few teams who will take three points there. Their away performances aren't a shade of their home ones. In their three away games they've recorded same number of loses, with goal difference of 2:8, coming close only to Harps in 1:2 loss which could easily go bigger. Even Sligo, who isn't top team outplayed them for 3:1 win. Cobh problem in away games could be defense that seems shaky, and attack can't amend for all their mistakes. Playing against currently most efficient attack that scores almost two goals per match Cobh can't aim for clean sheet, and as Pats allowed only two goals in six league games Cobh will have also hard time scoring against them.

Conclusion: I wouldn't bet on Pats if they were playing on St. Colman's Park, even with -0,5 hcp, but Cobh on the road isn't the same team and quality gap between this two should be big, big enough for comfortable win of home team. Pats so far gave their best performances in away games (especially Bray and Harps), but last match against Linfield showed what they are caable of when playing with full power. I think Cobh will have to search points elsewhere.

Predicted score: 3:0

Pick : St. Patricks
Odds : 1.93
Stake : 8 / 10
Bookmaker : Pinnacle
Date : 2008-04-18
Match Result : 1-0
Tipster Personal Link/Sponsor: http://scythe.blogabet.com/

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