IT'S all about the League of Ireland today unless you're a night owl willing to stay up until 2am for the first Copa America quarter-final.
The chase for glory in Ireland has turned into a two-horse race with Shelbourne and Derry City surging clear of the rest.
Just two points separate the top two but third-placed Waterford are a further 10 points adrift so need to make up a lot of ground in the remaining games.
Shelbourne certainly haven't been dropping many points, with Damien Duff's men winning six of their last seven games.
Drogheda's form stands in stark contrast to that with the strugglers on an eight-match run without a win that has seen them collect just two points.
They were battered 5-1 by Derry City in their last outing so this should be a comfortable win for the leaders if they hit top form.
Contents
Drogheda United v Shelbourne Top Betting Tips
With Shelbourne flying and Drogheda down in the dumps I though the leaders would be much shorter than the 4/5 on offer at Betfred. Backing Shels to be winning at half-time and full-time boosts the odds to 15/8.
You can also get a decent 7/5 just betting on Duff's men to win the first half. With Drogheda conceding five goals last time out against Derry, backing over 2.5 match goals also appeals at evens.
John Martin has two goals in his last three games for Shelbourne and looks overpriced at 13/2 with Paddy Power for another goal today.
Sligo Rovers v Derry City Top Tips
Derry City will be desperate to stay on the coat-tails of Shelbourne but have a tougher game on the road at Sligo Rovers.
Inconsistency has kept Sligo down in seventh place but they beat the leaders on the road a few weeks ago and have won their last two at home.
So I'm surprised to see them as big as 9/2 with Betfred for this one with Derry's price of 3/5 shorter than Shelbourne's for a win against the team propping up the table.
Having said that, Derry's form is excellent with four wins in a row making it six games unbeaten overall.
The Candystripes have conceded in their last two though so both teams to score looks decent value here at 11/10.
This could be closer than the bookies expect so I also like the half-time draw at the same price.
Argentina v Ecuador Top Tips
World champions Argentina have made an impressive start to their Copa America title defence, winning all of their group games without conceding.
The man making the difference has been Lautaro Martinez with the striker scoring four of their five goals despite starting just once.
The Inter Milan star did me a turn by scoring a double against Peru in the final group game and that should earn him a start against Ecuador in the last eight.
He's 6/4 with Betfred for anytime scorer and that looks decent value based on his form so far. This could be a tight game though as Ecuador are a tough nut to crack and the half-time draw appeals at 11/10.
Thursday's Football Tips: Super Singles
- Shelbourne HT-FT 15/8 Befred
- BTTS in Sligo v Derry 11/10 Betfred
- HT draw in Argentina v Ecuador 11/10 Betfred
Long shot
- John Martin anytime scorer 13/2 Paddy Power
Upcoming Match Previews & Tips
- Fri 1:30 FC Dallas v Portland Timbers
- Fri 2:00 Argentina v Ecuador
- Fri 2:30 Colorado Rapids v Sporting Kansas
- Fri 3:30 LA Galaxy v Los Angeles FC
- Football Bet of the Day: Go Against Goals at Galway on Thursday
- Euro 2024 betting favourites accumulator: 6/1 four-fold outright acca revealed
Golf Tips
The John Deere classic tees off today and Andy has some long-odds options for punters to feast on.
Racing Tips
Cairnzy and Rizzell have spme Cracking ways to beat the bookies on a busy day of racing
- Thursday’s Racing Tips – Cracksking can crack the bookies at Kempton
- Thursday’s Lucky 15 tips – Thursday’s selections from Haydock, Perth and Yarmouth
As always, post your betting tips for today in the comments section below.
In December 2020 we sadly 
Big let down in the Icelandic cup last night that game bust 3 of my accas 👎 Punt in Brazil tonight 🇧🇷 ,
Bahia vs Juventude , 11.00pm
Gremio vs Palmerias , 11.00pm
Over 1.5 match goals
10+ corners
Pays 4.68/1 ,
Goodluck eberyone with today’s bets👍
Inplay
West Adelaide v vlue eagles
Over 2.5 first half goals
Evens
LOST ❌
Vietnam cup ko noon
Thanh hoa v nam dinh
Nam dinh over 0.5 first half goal
19/20 MAIN BET
JOB DONE IN 15 MINUTES ✅
Today’s fixture list is the type that vindicates the decision to turn away from online accounts that I mentioned to Macca. There’s absolutely nothing today that will make me go to a bookies and have a bet….3/4yrs ago I’d have had a few bets on picks that aren’t well researched because not enough stats are available for the more obscure leagues. I’d do it just for the buzz and adrenaline to keep me ticking over until the weekend and a full card. At times I was betting on volleyball,table tennis, basketball and even trotting. Yes trotting,that’s how extreme it got and I’d have probably had a couple of quid on 2 flies running up a toilet wall at the lowest point. When it’s just some numbers on a screen and not material cash in your pocket it’s so easy to go OTT and end up in a big hole that can lead too financial ruin and strain on mental health. I’m lucky I got the help I needed and found a control mechanism for the impulsive behaviours that gambling addiction brings
Morale of the story on the day of a poor card…if you’re placing bets for the sake of a bet rather than it being a strong fancy then step away before it’s too late.
Probably irrelevant too 99.9% of the audience but if it helps just one person from going through what I experienced because I didn’t see the problem I had then it’s worth the writing 👍
Wise words Joe.
Excellent post. I haven’t bet in months after a particularly nasty run of bad luck. Lost about 10 even money bets on the bounce. I could feel myself becoming irritated and angry and was beginning to bet with emotions instead of logic. I identified this could turn into something very bad and decided a long break was needed. It is very true that online betting makes it so much easier to lose money because you’re somewhat detached from the losses, as opposed to having to hand physical cash over.
Brilliant post mate. I was in exactly the same position as you but with in play bets mainly. At my worst I could easily place 10 bets a day.
I hit rock bottom when I sat outside my place of work (Tesco) contemplating robbing the place as I had spent everything I had and more. Built up multiple payday loans and nobody would give me more. Plucked up the courage to speak to my mum and then confess to my missus.
Registered with gamstop and completely stopped for years.
Now I don’t trust myself to do online so stick with the bookies. I will always look but if nothing takes my fancy I just won’t place a bet. Right now I’m placing one every few days.
It is so easy to fall into the trap of addiction without even realising. But as you say, betting when there is little to bet on is a good indicator.
Well done on your journey and thanks for such an honest and open post.
Great words n total respect for sharing your thoughts 👍💚
Yep fully agree,I closed all my online accounts 2 years ago,when I lost straight onto another bet no matter where it was being played,now when I lose just wait,even if I fancy another bet which now and again wins it doesn’t bother me anymore✌️
Not having a bet tonight but had a look regardless so just highlighting something that caught the eye….
Sligo Rovers look like they could be taken on in the double chance at 11/8. Derry City flying high in 2nd but they’ve struggled on their travels this season with just 3 victories in 11 outings,Sligo have lost only 3 in 11 homes.
In the last 12 H2H meetings Sligo have lost just twice. Derry’s recent visits over the border too Sligo have yielding no wins in 7 with Sligo winning 4 and drawn 3 of the last 7 H2H.
Sligo Rovers double chance 11/8
Club Pilcomayo FBC
V
Club Atlético Colegiales
21:15
Paraguayan Cup 🇵🇾
Pilcomayo to score 13-8
BTTS and over 2.5 goals 9-4
Both BETWAY.
Non league v a team bottom of the second division.
Prediction 1-2
Excellent Elvis ✅
Cheers Joe.
Finished 1-4
Lets not scrutinise members here
On most cases we kno betting is something
Which is affiliated towards though most betters can fall into what we kno realistise
But its never 100% with gambling
Apologies Pato,I wasn’t scrutinising anyone buddy. Merely sharing my own issues with the enigma that is a gambling addiction and it’s roots… No fingers pointed towards any particular member but I have noticed betting patterns that were similar too my own and thought that there will be at least one person who will read and identify with the symptoms I have described. Someone that hasn’t previously realised their predicament but then relate too my words & what they have described is their very own their situation.
That hardest part of beating the addiction is accepting that it’s a problem in your life and that you are powerless to resist the impulsive nature too chase that rush.
Separate the wants from needs… Humans only need oxygen, water, food and heat too survive…the rest are wants and that’s how my psychologist taught me too think
I’m getting far too deep I toy rehabilitation stuff now haha
Goodnight all
I think you contradicted yourself there Joe. On one hand saying don’t bet on a poor card. On the other hand your offering stats (and betting odds) on “a poor card”. Although your suggested bet came up. You still contradicted yourself mate 👍
Bahia v Juventude BTTS EVENS
HT corner by Paranaense let down the 6/1+ 5fold last night so free tenner to play wi. GIBH 4fold lost, all had BTTS in 1st half but 2 were goal less 2nd halves
2.9/1
Ko midnight
Corinthians win
Fluminense over 1.5 match goals
Sao jose v athletic mg over 1.5 goals