Dundalk vs Crumlin United Predictions & Betting Tips, Match Previews

Dundalk’s dreams of a famous entrance into the Champions League group stages came to an end last week as Legia Warsaw held them to a 1-1 draw at home, a result which made it 3-1 on aggregate and sent the underdogs out of the competition. However, this was their best ever European campaign and it’s still going, with their Champions League playoff appearance granting them a place in the Europa League group stages.

Despite the distractions of the Champions League campaign Dundalk have still managed to keep hold of the top spot in the League of Ireland Premier Division. They currently sit four points clear of Cork City below them and five points clear of Derry City, although the leaders have three games in hand on Derry City.

Dundalk are quite fortunate to still be in the lead in the league though, as their form hasn’t been at it’s best. They only won two of their last nine in all competitions, losing four and drawing three.

Now the Irish champions turn their attentions towards a far inferior opponent. Crumlin United currently ply their trade in the Premier Division of the Northern Amateur Football League.

They did, however, know out Irish Premier Division side Finn Harps in the last round of the FAI Cup, and before that eliminated Greystones United. Dundalk will be a much bigger test of their mettle though, as they are by far and away the best team in the country at the moment.

Both of Crumlin United’s previous FAI Cup wins were settled by a single goal, and as such I don’t expect them to challenge the Dundalk defence too much. Dundalk have kept six clean sheets in their last 11 domestic matches as well, so I think odds of 4/5 for Dundalk to Win to Nil are good value for money. I’m going for a comprehensive 3-0 correct score prediction at 11/2 as well.