Dundalk vs St Patrick's Athl. — Tips & Analysis

Dundalk +0.5: St Pat's are the better team, but they turn into a different side away from home. Seven trips have brought them under a goal a game at both ends. That is the main reason we are happy to take Dundalk with a head start. Dundalk are ordinary. They have won 7, tied 5 and lost 8 of their last 20 games. Their home scoring average leans heavily on an 8-0 cup win over junior opposition. What they do well is stay in games. They have been beaten by 2 or more goals just twice in their last 20. St Pat's sit 2nd with the best goal difference in the division at plus 22, and they beat leaders Shamrock Rovers 2-0 on Friday. Away from home though, they have been quiet at both ends. This game has a history of being close. Six of the last 20 meetings were ties, and the July game finished 1-1. Both sides played on 11 September, so tired legs point the same way. Our read is a cagey 1-1, and that result does the job for us. Dundalk have lost five of their nine home games this season, so this is not a safe home side. If St Pat's bring the form that beat Rovers, they take this game. We still think Dundalk stay in it on a night that suits them.