While many punters naturally gravitate towards backing a winner, betting on a draw can be a smart and rewarding alternative.
This is because bookmakers typically assign bigger odds to stalemates, which occur less often than victories for either team.
With that in mind, let’s examine this weekend’s fixtures and identify the games where draw outcomes present the best value.
Drogheda vs Shelbourne (Friday, 19:45)
The draw looks like a real runner when Drogheda face Shelbourne in the Irish Premier Division on Friday night. The eighth-placed Drogs have drawn each of their last two home matches, and that sequence could well extend to three when they come up against the Shels.
The visitors, who sit fifth in the table, have drawn eight of their 20 league games this season, with four of those stalemates arriving across their last seven fixtures. A closer look shows it has finished honours even in two of Shelbourne’s last three away games, further strengthening the case for a repeat at Sullivan & Lambe Park.
Galway vs Derry City (Friday, 19:45)
Galway’s Irish Premier Division fixture with Derry on Friday night has all the makings of a stalemate. The two teams are separated by just one place and four points in the table, with Derry having played two games fewer than their hosts.
Galway come into this clash having drawn four of their last eight league matches. As for Derry, they are the draw specialists in the Irish top-flight this term, having recorded more draws than any other side thus far, with 10 stalemates to their name. In fact, five of the Candystripes' last eight matches have ended all square.
Notably, the two teams met at the beginning of May, a fixture that finished 1-1, and the same scoreline here looks like a strong contender once again.
Netherlands vs Sweden (Saturday, 18:00)
The Netherlands head into their latest group fixture at the World Cup off the back of an opening 2-2 draw with Japan. Another stalemate could be worth siding with when they square off with Sweden on Saturday.
While the Dutch came through their qualification campaign with relative ease, they did stumble when coming up against their closest rivals Poland, sharing the spoils on both occasions.
Following their impressive 5-1 demolition of Tunisia, Sweden would likely be satisfied with a draw here, as it would almost certainly secure a place in the knockout rounds.
The fact Graham Potter's side played out a 2-2 draw with Greece in their final warm-up match before the World Cup adds further weight to siding with a stalemate at NRG Stadium.
Weekend Draw Treble
- Drogheda vs Shelbourne
- Galway vs Derry City
- Netherlands vs Sweden
- Treble pays 38/1 (bet365)
Grant Heaney, aka SlipsTips, is a Freelance Football and Darts Writer with over six years experience. Grant has written football and darts betting content for some of the biggest betting websites and newspapers in the UK. He is a Falkirk season ticket holder and avid watcher of football and darts, whether it be UK-based or further afield. You can find all of his tips on X @SlipsTips
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