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.
With 17/36 game weeks fulfilled, it’s the Dubs who dominate the top of the Premier Division with Shamrock Rovers , St Patrick’s Athletic and Bohemians making up the top three, with Dundalk completing the top-four places.
Away from those four, it’s far tighter with just five points separating Shelbourne in fifth place and Sligo Rovers, who are second from bottom. It could get even tighter, too, with Waterford now only six back of them after defeating Drogheda on Monday Night.
In 2026? Expect. The. Unexpected.
LOI Acca Selections
LOI Friday Night #15 Acca Selections
Drogheda vs Dundalk – Dundalk @ EVS
Derry City vs St Patrick’s Athletic- Derry City or Draw @ 1/2
Shamrock Rovers vs Sligo Rovers– Sligo Rovers + 2 @ 3/4
Shelbourne vs Waterford – Waterford or Draw @ 9/4
Galway United vs Bohemians – Bohemians @ EVS
an accumulator with these selections pays approximately 33/1 with BOYLE Sports.
Drogheda vs Dundalk
Drogheda vs Dundalk – Friday 7:45 pm, Virgin Media Two
Odds
Drogheda – 19/10
Dundalk - EVS
Draw – 13/5
Preview
Drogheda’s 2-1 defeat to Waterford on Monday Night made it three defeats from their last four games for Kevin Doherty’s side. That form has them in eighth, only three ahead of Sligo Rovers and nine ahead of Waterford . Things certainly haven’t gone to script in 2026, and the immediate goal in the coming weeks won’t be to defy expectations again; it’ll be simply survival.
Dundalk have taken the designated “surprise packages” tag from their Louth neighbours for this season and put in a consistent run of results as we approach the halfway point in the season. Though Ciaran Kilduff has done a superb job as of now, they’re still a long way away from the lofty heights this club has seen before.
Prediction: Drogheda 0-2 Dundalk
Dundalk are in far stronger form and look the better market play this time around.
Best Bet: Dundalk @ EVS
Derry City vs St Patrick’s Athletic
Derry City vs St Patrick’s Athletic– Friday 7:45 pm, LOI TV
Odds
Derry City – 17/10
St Patrick’s Athletic – 7/5
Draw – 11/5
Preview
Derry City may have shown bottle to earn a 2-2 draw last weekend, but when it’s coming against bottom-placed Waterford, it’s not exactly the plus point it could be. In reality, performances are a far better long-term indicator of where a side’s season is going, and Tiernan Lynch appears to be the next in line to be on borrowed time if things don’t improve fast.
St Patrick’s Athletic may find themselves in second place and only three away from Shamrock Rovers, but had it not been for their narrow defeat to Shelbourne last time out, they’d be level at the top. Stephen Kenny’s squad will likely get few chances to gain on their Dublin rivals, and chances to gain will likely be few and far between this season.
Prediction: Derry City 1-1 St Patrick’s Athletic
Though both sides are in contrasting form, Derry City are unbeaten in their last four against Pat's and I think they max extend that run on Friday Night to five.
Best Bet: Derry City or Draw @ 1/2
Shamrock Rovers vs Sligo Rovers
Shamrock Rovers vs Sligo Rovers– Friday 7:45 pm, LOI TV
Odds
Shamrock Rovers - 1/3
Sligo Rovers – 7/1
Draw – 15/4
Preview
Shamrock Rovers are seen by many as a sure-fire bet to eventually land another Premier Division title under Stephen Bradley . It’s true, man for man, they’ve the single strongest squad in the league, but such was the case too when Shelbourne won in 2024. The lead is only three as we near the halfway point, but they’ll be hoping to extend that further in advance of Europe.
Sligo Rovers were comprehensively beaten in the Connacht Derby last weekend when dispatched 1-4 by Galway United , not helped by what seemed to be a route one game plan that played into their opponents' hands. John Russell has been criticised for not being pragmatic at times, but the decision to go route one in retrospect will surely be seen as an error this time around.
Prediction: Shamrock Rovers 2-1 Sligo Rovers
Shamrock Rovers may best team in the Premier Division , but I don't think they're even remotely close to the finished article as some would have one believe.
Best Bet: Sligo Rovers +2 @ 3/4
Shelbourne vs Waterford
Shelbourne vs Waterford– Friday 7:45 pm, LOI TV
Odds
Shelbourne – 3/10
Waterford – 7/1
Draw – 15/4
Preview
Shelbourne picked up what could end up being a huge victory in the context of their season when they overcame Dublin rivals St Patrick’s Athletic 0-1. They’re now just a few wins away from removing themselves from the bottom half of the table discussion, and they could then focus on keeping the pace with those at the top. But that’s easier said than done in this unpredictable league.
Waterford began life under Graham Coughlan by being battered 1-4 by St Patrick’s Athletic, where the manager openly questioned the future of some of his squad after the game. I did say I believed there to be some life to their fight yet, though, and that result was followed by a 2-2 draw with Derry City and their first win of the season coming 2-1 against Waterford .
Prediction: Shelbourne 1-1 Waterford
This game will tell a story as to how close Shelbourne are to becoming a serious side at the top again and even though they're worthy favourites, I can see life to the Waterford challenge right now.
Best Bet: Waterford or Draw @ 9/4
Galway United vs Bohemians
Galway United vs Bohemians– Friday 7:45 pm, LOI TV
Odds
Galway United – 19/10
Bohemians -EVS
Draw – 12/5
Preview
Galway United picked up a huge 1-4 win over Sligo Rovers last weekend, which could end up being huge in their fight for survival come the end of the season. An interesting thing to note about John Caulfield’s side is they’re yet to go back-to-back defeats in the season, and if they can continue that for the remaining half or so of the season, then safety will be all but guaranteed.
Following a nine-game winless streak, pressure was starting to mount back on Alan Reynolds, but he’s since bounced back, coaching them to back-to-back victories coming 1-3 against Dundalk and 2-1 against Drogheda two of which I think are a positive sign for their long-term prospects and with a relatively decent run of games immediately ahead of them, consistency could find them in-amongst a title conversation again.
Prediction: Galway United 0-1 Bohemians
The Tribesmen are always difficult and especially so at home, but Bohemians should still have far more about themselves to get the win.
Best Bet: Bohemians @ EVS
Prices are subject to fluctuation
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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.
