Over 2.5 goals at Athlone Town vs Wexford 3/5 for Friday’s FAI Cup tie

Competition: FAI Cup

Market: Over 2.5 goals

Odds: 3/5 @ 888sport

With a spot in the quarter-finals of this year’s FAI Cup up for grabs on Friday night, two of the First Division strugglers will meet at the Athlone Town Stadium this weekend.

Starting with the hosts, putting in what was another woeful display last weekend and hit with an abysmal 4-0 drumming against Shamrock Rovers’ second-string on home soil, it is no surprise that Athlone are a clear contender for the drop this season. Managing to pick up just a pair of points in any of their opening eight First Division matchups this year, there is no doubt that Head Coach Adrian Carbury will have a real headache over his side’s continued issues at the back. Along with shipping a quartet against Shamrock last time out, Athlone have conceded at least a pair of strikes in all eight of their appearances so far and even more worrying for Friday’s hosts, they have already conceded 13 goals on home soil in just four contests thus far.

As for the visitors, while Wexford might have appeared to have turned a corner when they landed a much-needed 3-1 win against Athlone when they returned to First Division duties last month, the Youths have found themselves come crashing back down to earth. Also putting in what was a lacklustre display on home soil last weekend, Brian O’Sullivan’s men were hit with a 3-0 drumming against Drogheda and have now lost their last three second-tier appearances on the bounce. Much like Friday’s hosts, Wexford have also continued to show their own rather glaring problems at the back throughout August. Including a 4-0 drumming in what was a season-worst display away at Cobh Ramblers, they have now shipped nine goals on their three-match losing run. In a battle between two incredibly leaky defences, we’re backing over 2.5 goals on Friday night.

Bet: Over 2.5 goals at Athlone Town vs Wexford 3/5 for Friday’s FAI Cup tie @ 888sport