UC Dublin vs Finn Harps

UC Dublin host Finn Harps for this Irish Premier Division round 27 clash at UCD Bowl in Dublin, the capital of Ireland, early Saturday morning Beijing time. This is the highest level of Irish football, but the level is relatively low by global standards. A big number promising, ambitious young Irish players leave the country early in their career with a goal to succeed in United Kingdom or elsewhere in Europe. These two teams are the two worst teams in the Premier Division so a quite low-level battle - even be Irish standards is expected here. By raw class, the visitors are the second-worst team in this league. That is also their position in the league table. Indeed, they have just 15 points to their account and have very bad goal difference – 22:45. Away from home they have been unbelievable bad this season and have won just one of the 12 away games - losing eight. Their goal difference on the road is abysmal – 11:27! The last time they won a match away from home was on the 18th of March against a mediocre team Shelbourne! They have been in bad form for months now - after a decent start to the season. Indeed, they have won just one of their latest 13 matches and I have significantly lowered their power rating that illustrates the teams’ overall class.

The betting market still seems to believe in the visitors’ potential and see them as solid favorites here but in my opinion, there is no favorite in this match. The recommended bet on the hosts with the +0.5 goals handicap has a 66% chance of winning. They did beat Drogheda, a mediocre team in their most recent match 3-0 at home as clear favorites according to the bookies. This win did not convince me at all though and it was a highly undeserved one. Drogheda had a 61% ball possession and also recorded more scoring attempts (12-18), attacks and dangerous attacks (62-93). It was a miracle that Finn Harps managed to keep a clean sheet! Before this they were bad in a FAI Cup match and lost 1-3 to Bohemians. The hosts, on the other hand, have improved a lot as the season has progressed and have lost just one of their latest three matches. On the 1st of this month, they took a point from Drogheda away from home through a 1-1 draw. It was great defensive effort. Drogheda were slightly better, but the match was more balanced than the odds - around 1.65 for Drogheda to win would reflect. Before this they crushed a small team Cockhill 3-0 at home in a FAI Cup clash. They look pretty confident at the moment and can control the ball better than early season. Reportedly they also have a very good team spirit.