Friday 01/08/2014, 20:45, Ireland Premier League, Round 21, Cork City vs Dundalk

Cork City vs Dundalk Betting Preview

Cork City suffered two defeats by 2-0 in less than a week and as a result they now trail the leaders by three points and have been eliminated from the Irish cup. Not all is lost though, because a victory tonight against Dundalk will bring them back in the fray and allow them to tie the leader. The visitors are in great form and ride a three-game winning streak and have scored an average of three goals per match during this hot run.

Cork City vs Dundalk Betting Odds

At Bet365

Cork City 3.60, Draw 3.50, Dundalk 2.00

Cork City vs Dundalk Betting Tips

Dundalk came painfully close to becoming the only Irish team to advance to the next stage of Europa League after scoring twice on the road in the second leg. Unfortunately for them, they were defeated by 2-0 in the previous round and all they can do right now is to focus on the domestic championship.

This is where they truly shine as they lead the tables with 49 points, but the outcome of this match will be of critical importance. Losing to Cork City will have a two-pronged effect, because on short-term they will end the winning streak, while on the long run they will be just one mistake away from losing the title.

It is going to be a difficult match for both teams, but the visitors have the luxury of being happy with a draw regardless of score. For a team leading the Ireland Premier League, it is a bit surprising that they only have one striker in the top 10 of most prolific scorers. Hoban scored 13 times this season, which ranks him second behind Fagan, but ahead of Dennehey, whom he will be facing tonight.

For Cork City this match is even more important, but unlike the visitors they are desperate to win all three points. A draw would not help them at all, especially after losing the first leg by 4-0 and that crushing defeat served them a couple of valuable lessons. To start with, they can't afford to defend and hope that Dundalk will commit a mistake, because that strategy proved to be their downfall in early May.

Key Facts

• Cork City is yet to lose a match at home, having won 7/10 and six in a row
• Dundalk won away from home against this team just once in the last 10 rounds

Cork City vs Dundalk Betting Prediction

Both punters will probably find the odds of 3.60 for Cork City to prevail downright irresistible and will back the hosts at full stakes. Conservative ones will be more than happy to take 1.85 for the hosts to win or draw, with Bet365 being the most generous bookmaker at the time of writing.

Bet: Cork City or Draw @ 1.85 with Bet365