As is often the case, Friday’s Football Bet of the Day see’s me head to Ireland and there’s a side in the second-tier who should be too strong for their struggling opponents.
Cobh Ramblers vs Waterford FC
?? First Division
⏰ Friday 15th July, 19:45
Two sides at opposite ends of the Irish First Division table go head-to-head at St Colman's Park, as second from bottom Cobh Ramblers play host to third-placed Waterford FC.
Cobh Ramblers lost for the sixth consecutive match last time out, as they were comfortably beaten 3-0 away to second-placed Galway United. Shane Keegan’s side were defeated 0-2 by Treaty United in their last home match, meaning they’ve now lost each of their last five in front of their own supporters. The Ramblers have collected just nine points from their opening 21 league fixtures this season (W2-D3-L16), with both of their wins coming against the only side below them in the table, Athlone Town. In fact, Cobh have lost all 13 matches against the top-five sides, scoring 10 goals and conceding 38. No side has scored fewer goals at home than The Rams (9), with them also possessing the leagues joint-worst defence, conceding 53 goals.
Waterford come into this match having suffered back-to-back defeats, losing 1-0 at second-placed Galway United before losing at home to Wexford last Friday night. Prior to those two defeats, Danny Searle’s side had won each of their last eight league matches, as well as each of their last five on their travels. Waterford have won 12 of their 15 fixtures against sides below them in the table (W12-D1-L2), winning all eight matches against the sides in seventh and below by an aggregate score of 25-8. Only league leaders Cork City (45) have found the back of the net on more occasions than Waterford (42) in the Irish second-tier, with 26 of those goals being scored on their travels.
Bet of the Day
Waterford saw their eight-match winning run come to an end with back-to-back defeats against Galway United and Wexford respectively but should get back to winning ways against a Cobh Ramblers side who’ve lost each of their last six. Shane Keegan’s hosts have been terrible all season, collecting just nine points from their opening 21 league matches, with their two wins coming against bottom side Athlone Town. In fact, the Ramblers have lost all 13 matches against the top-five sides in the division, whilst Danny Searle’s visitors have won all eight matches against the bottom three sides. Given the hosts have the joint-worst defence and the visitors posses the second-best attack, we should see the gulf in class here and whilst I’m generally not a fan on handicap betting, we should see Waterford win by at least two goals, something they’ve managed to do in both previous meeting between the two this season.
- Waterford FC (-1) Handicap
- Pays 1/1 (Paddy Power)
Waterford FC (-1) Handicap ✅ (0-5)
Pays 1/1 ✅✅