Finn Harps (8th) vs Athlone Town (9th)
League of Ireland, First Division
Satuday 18th July 2009 - Kickoff 19:45
This game is of interest, despite the fact that it looks like a battle of two sides with similar statistics and few wins between them so far.

Finn Harps (Home Rec : 4-0-3 11:10)

Finn Harps are 8th in the table, and started the league season very poorly, despite being expected to be a top half of the table side. Their form is traditionally strong at home, as sides have to travel far to play them, but poor away, where they have to travel long distances, especially to clubs near Cork, Waterford, Wexford etc.

At the start of the season Finn Harps good home form deserted them, and they won only 1 game of their first 11 matches in the league. They have however shown much improvement of late, with 3 consecutive home wins, including an impressive 3-2 win over Sporting Fingal.

Finn Harps continue to be severely hampered by their away form, and have not won at all away, though they have gained 3 successive draws on the road. Despite no away wins, Finn Harps are surprisingly ahead of 4 other teams in the table.

Finn Harps Recent Form (most recent first)
D 0-0 s Waterford (A)
W 3-2 vs Sporting Fingal (H)
D 1-1 vs U.C.D (A)
W 2-0 vs Mervue (H)
D 0-0 vs Longford (A)
W 2-1 vs Kildare County (H)
L 1-2 vs Monaghan (H)
D 2-1 vs Limerick 37 (A)
D 0-0 vs Shelbourne (H)

Athone Town (Away Rec : 3-1-4 4:7)

Athlone are on a very poor run of form – they have only won 1 game in their last 10 in the league, coming vs hapless Kildare County (Kildare have only managed 4 points in the league all season) translating to a last 10 games form for Athlone of W1, D2, L7.

Athlone’s 2 draws during this time were vs two sides immediately above bottom side Kildare and below Finn Harps in the table (Longford & Mervue).

Athlone Town Recent Form (most recent first)
D 0-0 vs Longford (H)
L 1-0 vs Wexford (A)
L 2-1 vs Waterford (A)
L 2-0 vs Limerick 37 (H)
W 1-0 vs Kildare County (A)
D 2-2 vs Mervue (H)
L 2-0 vs Sporting Fingal (A)
L 1-0 vs U.C.D (H)

Analysis

Home form is key here – Finn Harps have actually won 3 in a row at home, and Athlone have only gained points vs the bottom 3 sides over the last 10 games.

The slight advantage Finn Harps have in terms of quality over Athlone will likely get doubled or tripled by the fact they have home advantage and that bit of confidence recent home wins have brought. Despite the similar number of league points earned by both sides, Finn Harps look like they are starting to raise their game.

Notice how Finn Harps performance has now cranked up a note over the last 6 games. They are winning at home, and getting draws away from home - where they had been losing earlier in the season. These results have also come against some of the best teams in the division. They won at home to Sporting Fingal, and got good away draws recently vs both U.C.D and Waterford (despite the distance).

If the rise in Finn Harps performance continues into this game, they should be confident of a home win vs Athlone Town, despite being neighbours at present on the league table.

THe Betting Verdict

Take Finn Harps to beat Athlone Town, the low league position of Finn Harps is a partial reflection of poor early season form, and doesn't accurately reflect their current standard of play.

FIXED ODDS BETTING :

Take Finn Harps to win.