It’s that time of the week again! “The Greatest League in the World” is back to light up your weekend! In this post, we’ve got our League of Ireland tips and predictions, along with our weekly acca, ahead of another weekend in the LOI Premier Division.
We’ve two more Friday Nights left in the 2026 Premier Division season, and there’s still plenty to be decided, with three sides still mathematically in the title race and both Waterford and Drogheda still fighting it out to avoid finishing in the relegation playoff position.
In 2026, expect the unexpected.
LOI Acca Selections
LOI Friday Night #30 Acca Selections
Shamrock Rovers vs Sligo Rovers – Sligo Rovers +2 @ 6/4
Bohemians vs Shelbourne – Under 2.5 Total Goals @ 23/20
Galway United vs St Patrick’s Athletic – St Patrick’s Athletic @ 4/7
Waterford vs Drogheda – Draw @ 14/5
Derry City vs Dundalk – Derry City @ 4/6
An accumulator with these selections pays approximately 52/1 with BOYLE Sports .
Shamrock Rovers vs Sligo Rovers
Shamrock Rovers vs Sligo Rovers – Friday 8pm, Virgin Media Two
Odds
Shamrock Rovers – 2/13
Sligo Rovers – 14/1
Draw – 13/2
Preview
Shamrock Rovers are one step closer to another Premier Division title under Stephen Bradley despite their shock 2-0 defeat to Galway United last Friday night. A victory would put them on the brink of another title irrespective of results elsewhere, but depending on whether Bohemians and, to a lesser extent, St Patrick’s Athletic fail to win, it could be done tonight.
Sligo Rovers played last Saturday against Dundalk , knowing that they’d already been relegated to the First Division for the 2027 season. However, they nearly signed off at home with a win. Kaiyne Woolery put them ahead in the 46th minute, and they held on until Ronan Teahan equalised in the 90th minute.
Prediction: Shamrock Rovers 2-1 Sligo Rovers
Shamrock Rovers are on the brink, and they generally know what to do when it comes to putting in a professional showing in the league. But they lost 2-0 at Galway United last Friday, and Sligo Rovers held Dundalk to a draw on Saturday. Sligo Rovers +2 wins unless Rovers win by three goals or more.
Best Bet: Sligo Rovers +2 @ 6/4
Bohemians vs Shelbourne
Bohemians vs Shelbourne – Friday 7:45pm, LOITV
Odds
Bohemians – 4/7
Shelbourne – 7/2
Draw – 3/1
Preview
Bohemians supporters would’ve thought all hope was lost after losing 2-1 to Shamrock Rovers a couple of weeks ago. However, after an extraordinary set of results as well as a 2-1 victory over Waterford last weekend, they can now Bohleive again. But now there’s no room for error: six points from their games against Shelbourne and St Patrick’s Athletic are non-negotiable, and even then it may not be enough.
Shelbourne would have taken great “pride” in being the designated title party poopers last week after coming from behind to beat St Patrick’s Athletic 1-2. That win puts them second in the form table from the last five league games with a tally of ten points, just two fewer than their opponents. But the fact Shels have started to perform at this stage of the season probably says a lot more about the mental psyche of the squad.
Prediction: Bohemians 1-0 Shelbourne
Will Shels repeat last week’s showing? I expect a close tie, but the home side may just have more about them come the final whistle.
Best Bet: Under 2.5 Total Goals @ 23/20
Galway United vs St Patrick’s Athletic
Galway United vs St Patrick’s Athletic – Friday 7:45pm, LOITV
Odds
Galway United – 15/4
St Patrick’s Athletic – 4/7
Draw – 3/1
Preview
Galway United looked to be clear of relegation trouble after beating Shamrock Rovers 2-0 last Friday, but Monday’s 3-2 defeat at Waterford and an FAI Cup semi-final exit to Derry City mean it’s not quite done yet.
St Patrick’s Athletic likely need to go flawless in their remaining league fixtures if they’re to stand any chance of their first Premier Division title since the 2013 season. However, they’ll need to respond after Shelbourne came from behind to beat them at Richmond Park last Friday. Whether Stephen Kenny’s side can bounce back remains to be seen.
Prediction: Galway United 0-1 St Patrick’s Athletic
Pat’s need a win more than Galway United, though the home side might revel in that opportunity. I can still see Stephen Kenny’s squad having enough tonight.
Best Bet: St Patrick’s Athletic @ 4/7
Waterford vs Drogheda
Waterford vs Drogheda – Friday 7:45pm, LOITV
Odds
Waterford – 7/10
Drogheda – 3/1
Draw – 14/5
Preview
Waterford ended a brief but vital winless streak of four matches in the league to overcome Galway United in a 3-2 thriller at the RSC on Monday. Though their second half of the season has been strong and they’ve an FAI Cup Final to look forward to, they remain locked on thirty-seven points with their opponents and not out of relegation playoff trouble.
Drogheda earned a crucial 2-0 victory over Derry City last Friday, putting their tally from the last five league games at nine points, the same as St Patrick’s Athletic and Shamrock Rovers , who are fighting it out at the other end of the table. It’s been far from a vintage season, but a win in this game would put them on the brink of survival.
Prediction: Waterford 1-1 Drogheda
Both sides are nine points behind fourth-placed Shelbourne and are more than capable on their respective days. I can see this being a stalemate, putting the battle of survival on a knife edge going into the final week of the season.
Best Bet: Draw @ 14/5
Derry City vs Dundalk
Derry City vs Dundalk – Friday 7:45pm, LOITV and BBC iPlayer
Odds
Derry City – 4/6
Dundalk – 3/1
Draw – 14/5
Preview
Derry City may have an FAI Cup Final to look forward to in the coming weeks, but have two more sets of fixtures to navigate without injury before they can refocus their minds towards a much-needed trophy. Losing to Drogheda last weekend may suggest they fell victim to that, but they were arguably unfortunate not to come away with at least a point from the game.
Dundalk supporters and team should be on the whole positive about their performances since returning to the Premier Division . But their second half to the season following the notable departures of Eoin Kenny and Gbemi Arubi will give Ciaran Kilduff cause for concern, and they will need replacements for 2027, or they will be in trouble.
Prediction: Derry City 2-1 Dundalk
Derry City have more quality about them and more to prepare for, while Dundalk have dipped in the second half of the season since losing Eoin Kenny and Gbemi Arubi.
Best Bet: Derry City @ 4/6
Bet on League of Ireland Odds at BOYLE Sports
*Odds are correct at the time of writing, but subject to change.
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Bill is as passionate about Irish football as they come, with an agonising longing to see his country grace a World Cup stage. A League of Ireland devotee and lifelong Man United fan, he knows better than most what sporting heartbreak feels like, and brings that perspective to the BOYLE Sports Blog. With roots in greyhound racing and a curiosity spanning politics, snooker, WWE and beyond, there is rarely a sporting conversation he cannot add to.
