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.
At the top, Shamrock Rovers lead the way, followed by St Patrick’s Athletic , Bohemians and Dundalk.
Immediately outside the European places, you’ve Derry City , Drogheda , Shelbourne , Galway United, and Sligo Rovers all tightly bunched together, with Waterford currently cut adrift at the bottom.
In 2026? Expect. The. Unexpected.
LOI Acca Selections
LOI Friday Night #14 Acca Selections
Dundalk vs Shamrock Rovers – Shamrock Rovers @ 23/20
St Patrick’s Athletic vs Shelbourne – Over 2.5 Goals @ 10/11
Bohemians vs Drogheda – Draw @ 14/5
Waterford vs Derry City- Waterford 1 Goal Ahead @ 6/4
Sligo Rovers vs Galway United– Sligo Rovers Double Chance @ 4/9
an accumulator with these selections pays approximately 55/1 with BOYLE Sports.
Dundalk vs Bohemians
Dundalk vs Shamrock Rovers – Friday 7:45 pm, LOI TV
Odds
Dundalk – 9/5
Shamrock Rovers - 6/5
Draw – 23/10
Preview
Dundalk’s winless streak in the Premier Division extended to four matches last weekend when they were defeated 1-3 by Bohemians, who came back from a one-goal deficit at half-time. Interestingly, they now find themselves simultaneously six points off St Patrick’s Athletic in second but just the six ahead of second from bottom Sligo Rovers .
Shamrock Rovers ran out impressive 1-3 winners last weekend at Eamonn Deacy Park to maintain their three-point lead at the top. Though they very much remain the team to beat in the Premier Division, they will be hoping to have more than just a three-point lead when they enter European qualifying in the next couple of months.
Prediction: Dundalk 1-2 Shamrock Rovers
Dundalk left us down last week, and though I think they can challenge again, an away win seems the most likely here.
Best Bet: Shamrock Rovers @ 23/20
St Patrick’s Athletic vs Shelbourne
St Patrick’s Athletic vs Shelbourne – Friday 8 pm, LOI TV
Odds
St Patrick’s Athletic – 20/23
Shelbourne – 13/5
Draw – 5/2
Preview
Is this St Patrick’s Athletic side the real deal? They ran out dominant 4-1 winners against Waterford last weekend following a goal from Forrester , a brace from Elbouzedi and another goal from in-form Edmondson. Though they played the bottom of the table side, I think that result will look better in time. Pat’s remain three off top but arguably more crucially six ahead of Bohemians in third.
Shelbourne have accumulated five points from their last three games, which may have somewhat stabalised Joey O’Brien’s ship in 2026. Expectations remain high, though, and with them seven points behind Bohemians in third place, a further run of results, including some more wins, will be needed if they’re to get where their squad should be.
Prediction: St Patrick’s Athletic 2-1 Shelbourne
This’ll be a hard game for both, but I can see there being a fair few goals either way.
Best Bet: Over 2.5 Goals @ 10/11
Bohemians vs Drogheda
Bohemians vs Drogheda – Friday 7:45 pm, LOI TV
Odds
Bohemians – 1/2
Drogheda – 5/1
Draw – 14/5
Preview
Bohemians ended their nine-game winless streak last Friday Night when they came from behind to run out 1-3 victors over Dundalk following second-half strikes from Ross Tierney , Douglas James-Taylor and Zane Myers . Though they arguably do have a squad capable of challenging, consistency is needed in Philsborough if they’re to get a European Place again in the 2026 season.
Drogheda made it three wins from their last four games when they overcame Derry City 1-0 following a 55th-minute penalty from Ryan Brennan . The next run of games presents Kevin Doherty’s side with a huge opportunity to distance themselves further from the relegation conversation. However, given the tight nature of the league at the moment, any inconsistency or poor run of results will be duly punished by those around them.
Prediction: Bohemians 1-1 Drogheda
The draw looks the appropriate play here when considering both come in off wins.
Best Bet: Draw @ 14/5
Waterford vs Derry City
Waterford vs Derry City – Friday 7:45 pm, LOI TV
Odds
Waterford – 7/2
Derry City – 4/6
Draw – 11/4
Preview
Waterford began life under Graham Coughlan on Friday night, and if he were under any illusions about how hard the task of safety will be, a 1-4 defeat at the hands of Pat’s will be the most comprehensive reality check one can get in a one-half fixture. Though they look relatively doomed cut adrift at the bottom, I do believe this squad has the capacity, at the very least, to be picking up more points under competent management.
After asking in our preview last week whether Derry City were finally starting to find some consistency? A 1-0 defeat to Drogheda gave us the answer Tiernan Lynch and his squad wouldn’t have wanted with the answer No, at least not yet. Off-the-field melodramas and their stadium change may not have helped matters, but answers will need to be found sooner rather than later.
Prediction: Waterford 1-2 Derry City
Waterford are better than their points tally suggests, and Derry City are unreliable, so this may go close.
Best Bet: Waterford 1 Goal Ahead @ 6/4
Sligo Rovers vs Galway United
Sligo Rovers vs Galway United – Friday 7:45 pm, LOI TV
Odds
Sligo Rovers – 8/5
Galway United – 6/4
Draw – 21/10
Preview
Sligo Rovers continued their positive run of results last weekend when they held Shelbourne to a 0-0 draw at Tolka Park . Though the performance was questionable, they showed enough grit to get over the line. John Russell’s side have clearly found their groove this season, but more points are needed if they’re to get off the relegation playoff spot.
Galway United were comfortably beaten 1-3 in the end by Shamrock Rovers last weekend, which means they have just three points from their last five games in the league. Plenty had them predicted for the bottom of the charts this season, and though they’re eleven clear of Waterford , I can see that gap shortening in the coming weeks.
Prediction: Sligo Rovers 2-0 Galway United
This is a huge game in the context of the relegation playoff place and I think the home team has more about their squad.
Best Bet: Sligo Rovers Double Chance @ 4/9
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.
