LOI Fixtures 2015
The fixtures for the LoI were announced yesterday. The full list by team can be found here.
The two favourites (Shamrock Rovers and St. Pats) play out on the first day. Last years champs and runners up Dundalk and Cork don't have easy starts either. They both face top teams in their first 4 matches. Perhaps Dundalk have the easier start - although they have to face St Pats (favourites) on day 3.
The opportunity is there for another team to make their mark on the table in the first few weeks (Limerick maybe?).
Drogheda avoid all of St. Pats, Shamrock Rovers, Cork and Dundalk in their first 6 matches. This could mean a good start which could translate into some confidence and momentum which they will need. They may be relegation contenders next season.
If St. Pats are in contention at the end they may have a slight advantage in the run in. Bohs, Galway, Drogheda and Longford are among the teams they play in the last 5 matches. None of those 4 teams are fancied by the bookies.
It doesn't look like there is going to be a repeat of last season where the two title contenders met on the last day in a winner takes all type match.
Above table is a representation of the fixture list. The oppositions are ranked from 1 to 12 according to their rating with the bookie (going by outright odds). ie 1=St Pats, 2=Shamrock Rovers, 3=Dundalk, 4=Cork, 6=Derry, 7=Limerick, 8=Longford, 9=Galway, 10=Bohs, 11=Drogheda, 12=Bray. The opposition is colour coded on a sliding scale from red (highly rated by bookies) to green (pushovers).
It may be advantageous to avoid the "red" matches at key points in the season, for example the beginning or for the run in. Also key is to spot a run of "green" games where you can hopefully pick up maximum points and pile pressure on your competitors in the table.
Follow me on twitter @FoG_BLoG, or on facebook /fog2014.
The two favourites (Shamrock Rovers and St. Pats) play out on the first day. Last years champs and runners up Dundalk and Cork don't have easy starts either. They both face top teams in their first 4 matches. Perhaps Dundalk have the easier start - although they have to face St Pats (favourites) on day 3.
The opportunity is there for another team to make their mark on the table in the first few weeks (Limerick maybe?).
Drogheda avoid all of St. Pats, Shamrock Rovers, Cork and Dundalk in their first 6 matches. This could mean a good start which could translate into some confidence and momentum which they will need. They may be relegation contenders next season.
If St. Pats are in contention at the end they may have a slight advantage in the run in. Bohs, Galway, Drogheda and Longford are among the teams they play in the last 5 matches. None of those 4 teams are fancied by the bookies.
It doesn't look like there is going to be a repeat of last season where the two title contenders met on the last day in a winner takes all type match.
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| Strength of Schedule by team (LoI fixture list 2015). |
It may be advantageous to avoid the "red" matches at key points in the season, for example the beginning or for the run in. Also key is to spot a run of "green" games where you can hopefully pick up maximum points and pile pressure on your competitors in the table.
Follow me on twitter @FoG_BLoG, or on facebook /fog2014.
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