It’s that time of the week again! “The Greatest League in the World” is back to light up your weekends! In this post, our League of Ireland tips and predictions, along with our weekly acca, ahead of another weekend in the LOI Premier Division.
Following the double, Shamrock Rovers are back at the top, followed by St Patrick’s Athletic , Bohemians and Dundalk, rounding off the European Places.
Derry City are still in fifth and within a win of third place, depending on results elsewhere, while Shelbourne , Galway United and Drogheda are all within a win of them from behind. Sligo Rovers are second from bottom but within two points of Shelbourne and, most importantly, nine points ahead of bottom-placed Waterford
In 2026? Expect. The. Unexpected.
LOI Acca Selections
LOI Friday Night #13 Acca Selections
St Patrick’s Athletic vs Waterford - Half Time Draw Full Time St Patrick's Athletic @ 3/1
Dundalk vs Bohemians – Dundalk Double Chance @ 1/2
Drogheda vs Derry City – Under 2.5 Goals @ 4/6
Galway United vs Shamrock Rovers– Shamrock Rovers @ EVS
Sligo Rovers vs Dundalk – Sligo Rovers Double Chance @ 17/10
an accumulator with these selections pays approximately 53/1 with BOYLE Sports.
St Patrick’s Athletic vs Waterford
St Patrick’s Athletic vs Waterford – Friday 8 pm, Virgin Media Two
Odds
St Patrick’s Athletic – 2/9
Waterford – 9/1
Draw – 9/2
Preview
Back-to-back draws during last week’s double game week, after a 2-2 draw away to Galway United and a 1-1 away draw to Sligo Rovers, meant that Stephen Kenny’s side relinquished their spot at the top of the table in what will be universally seen as a missed opportunity for their early league prospects. It’ll be back to business Friday night, though, and they will be well-drilled and geared to end their winless streak.
It’s been a long week for Waterford , following their narrow 1-0 defeat to Shamrock Rovers last Friday, Jon Daly became the first managerial casualty of the season. Though their interim coaching team earned them a valiant point from a 3-3 draw with Dundalk on Monday, they’ve acted fast, appointing Dubliner Graham Coughlan as Head Coach, and though he comes with a strong understanding of the lower ethalons of England , any recruitment will have to wait until the summer window, so he will have to make do with what he has for now.
Prediction: St Patrick’s Athletic 2-1 Waterford
Though Pat’s are worthy favourites, I expect this to be a far closer game than the odds market suggests.
Best Bet: Half Time Draw Full Time St Patrick’s Athletic @ 3/1
Dundalk vs Bohemians
Dundalk vs Bohemians – Friday 7:45 pm, LOI TV
Odds
Dundalk – 8/5
Bohemians - 13/10
Draw – 12/5
Preview
Dundalk have defied expectations on their return to the Premier Division under Ciaran Kilduff so far this season to find themselves in fourth position and well in the early conversation for the European Places. However, there’s still a lot of work to be done in first distancing themselves from the relegation picture, and if they fail to win here, it will be four games within a win.
Bohemians had back-to-back home draws last weekend, first 1-1 against Derry City and then 2-2 with Shelbourne on Monday. Though they still find themselves in third place, those draws made it nine games without a win, and now they’re out of immediate reach of those above them, with multiple sides breathing quietly behind them.
Prediction: Dundalk 1-1 Bohemians
Which winless streak will end? I wouldn’t be surprised if both continued, but I’d favour the home side as the most likely to do so.
Best Bet: Dundalk Double Chance @ 1/2
Drogheda vs Derry City
Drogheda vs Derry City – Friday 7:45 pm, LOI TV
Odds
Drogheda – 2/1
Derry City – 5/4
Draw – 21/10
Preview
Drogheda have had a difficult 2026 season so far, and though they picked up a crucial 1-0 victory over Sligo Rovers , they were brought quickly back down to earth when they were battered 4-1 by Shamrock Rovers on Monday. Though the result against the former over the latter will ultimately decide where this season goes, with things so tight they can ill-afford a poor run of form, or they will find themselves in a battle to avoid a relegation playoff.
Are Derry City starting to find some semblance of consistency? Though back-to-back draws is far from ideal, those results last weekend means they extended their unbeaten run to six matches. They need a win in this, though, with the sides immediately below them having a game in hand over them aside from Sligo Rovers.
Prediction: Drogheda 0-1 Derry City
Whatever happens here, I’m not expecting many goals, though Derry may edge it.
Best Bet: Under 2.5 Total Goals @ 4/6
Galway United vs Shamrock Rovers
Galway United vs Shamrock Rovers – Friday 7:45 pm, LOI TV
Odds
Galway United – 13/5
Shamrock Rovers – 10/11
Draw – 23/10
Preview
Galway United, in typical John Caulfield fashion, have remained an extremely robust entity into 2026, and three consecutive draws in the Premier Division has them in seventh place, two back of Derry City in fifth but only two ahead of Sligo Rovers , who are second from bottom. Though they can be happy with their performances on the whole, I do think there remains an air of unsustainability about their form.
Shamrock Rovers are back at the top of the table and are now three clear of closest challengers St Patrick’s Athletic after victories over Waterford and Drogheda last weekend. Stephen Bradley’s side are certainly the team to beat in 2026 and have a nice run of fixtures in the coming weeks to build up an even bigger lead at the top.
Prediction: Galway United 0-2 Shamrock Rovers
Though John Caulfield has been getting a tune out of his side so far this season, the signs remain of an inevitable fall off, and Kenny’s Pats side should be able to pounce.
Best Bet: Shamrock Rovers @ EVS
Shelbourne vs Sligo Rovers
Shelbourne vs Sligo Rovers– Friday 7:45 pm, LOI TV
Odds
Shelbourne – 2/5
Sligo Rovers – 11/2
Draw – 10/3
Preview
Shelbourne are yet to find their gear in 2026, but four points from their last two league games has given Joey O’Brien’s squad a platform to build on, and with some favourable fixtures ahead of them as well as a game in-hand over everyone above them. The next few weeks should set the context for their league aspirations.
Sligo Rovers may find themselves second from bottom, but ten points from their last five league games means they’ve only been outearned in terms of points by Shamrock Rovers tally of twelve during the same time frame. A further win or two is needed, though if they’re to change the narrative from a relegation battle to outside contenders for Europe.
Prediction: Shelbourne 1-1 Sligo Rovers
Though both sides should be fighting on opposite ends of the table, I think the difference between both sides right now isn’t as pronounced as it should be and thus Sligo Rovers are the value bet.
Best Bet: Sligo Rovers Double Chance @ 17/10
Prices are subject to fluctuation
Remember, Always Gamble Responsibly
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.
