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.
Shamrock Rovers lead the way at the top five ahead of St Patrick’s Athletic, though the latter has a game in hand; the top four is rounded off by both Bohemians and Dundalk, with Shelbourne three back of the latter.
Toward the bottom, only six points separate Derry City, Galway United , Drogheda and Sligo Rovers, with Waterford now only five back of the latter.
In 2026? Expect. The. Unexpected.
LOI Acca Selections
LOI Friday Night #18 Acca Selections
Bohemians vs Dundalk – BTTS @ 4/7
Waterford vs Shamrock Rovers – Shamrock Rovers @ 11/20
St Patrick’s Athletic vs Sligo Rovers – Under 2.5 Total Goals @ 11/10
Galway United vs Derry City - Derry City @ 5/4
Drogheda vs Shelbourne – Shelbourne 1 Goal Ahead @ 1/2
an accumulator with these selections pays approximately 16/1 with BOYLE Sports .
Bohemians vs Dundalk
Bohemians vs Dundalk Friday 8pm, Virgin Media Two
Odds
Bohemians – 5/6
Dundalk – 12/5
Draw – 11/4
Preview
Bohemians lost crucial ground at the top of the table last Friday night when they were comprehensively defeated 4-1 by Derry City despite taking the lead in the seventeenth minute through Harry Vaughan . With three of the sides immediately above them picking up points, they’re badly in need of a win to stay in the title race.
Dundalk continue to be the revelation of the 2026 Premier Division season so far, and their 0-1 win over Galway United at Turners Cross now has them well in the mix at the top. With Europe on the horizon for those in and around them, a few further victories should have them outside the relegation conversation at a minimum.
Prediction: Bohemians 1-1 Dundalk
Irrespective of the result, I can see both getting on the scoresheet in this one.
Best Bet: BTTS @ 4/7
Waterford vs Shamrock Rovers
Waterford vs Shamrock Rovers Friday 7:45pm, LOI TV
Odds
Waterford – 15/4
Shamrock Rovers - 11/20
Draw – 3/1
Preview
Waterford doubled their tally of wins for the league season last weekend when putting in a dominant showing to overcome Sligo Rovers 4-0. Graham Coughlan has truly gotten a tune out of their squad since being appointed head coach at the start of last month and are now only a couple of wins away from getting off the bottom.
Shamrock Rovers are top, five ahead of closest challengers St Patrick’s Athletic, who they’ve played an extra game over. However, following their 2-1 defeat to Shelbourne last Friday, it shows as of yet; they’re far from the champions elect as of yet for 2026.
Prediction: Waterford 0-1 Shamrock Rovers
Waterford will pick up more points; I expect them to put up a challenge, but expect the away side to have too much quality in the end.
Best Bet: Shamrock Rovers @ 11/20
St Patrick’s Athletic vs Sligo Rovers
St Patrick’s Athletic vs Sligo Rovers Friday 7:45 pm, LOI TV
Odds
St Patrick’s Athletic - 1/4
Sligo Rovers – 10/1
Draw – 4/1
Preview
St Patrick’s Athletic haven’t gone away in any potential “title race” just yet, with their 2-0 victory over Drogheda ending their three-game winless streak, putting them only five back of Shamrock Rovers with a game in hand over the league leaders. This game is the start of a relatively favourable run of fixtures, and a return to consistency could see them cut the gap even further.
Sligo Rovers are in worrying form following back-to-back defeats with a 1-3 defeat to Bohemians and a 4-0 battering by bottom-of-the-table Waterford. Any signs of another summer revival in form for John Russell and his squad right now look a difficult task.
Prediction: St Patrick’s Athletic 2-1 Sligo Rovers
Though I fancy the home side, I fancy Sligo Rovers to be more defensively robust than they were last week.
Best Bet: Under 2.5 Total Goals @ 11/10
Galway United vs Derry City
Galway United vs Derry City– Friday 7:45 pm, LOI TV
Odds
Galway United -2/1
Derry City – 5/4
Draw – 21/10
Preview
Galway United, on the whole, have had a positive 2026 season so far; twenty-one points from nineteen matches has them in seventh place and, with a game in hand over every side below them have the opportunity to create a little distance between them and the immediate relegation picture. But with the resurgence of Waterford, it still feels like they’re far from out of the woods yet.
Derry City finally put in a good performance last time out when they beat Bohemians 4-1 last Friday night. However, they now find themselves in a Premier Division purgatory, four ahead of Galway United (albeit with two extra games played) and seven back of Dundalk in fourth, with the Louth side having a game in hand.
Prediction: Galway United 0-2 Derry City
Could Derry’s last game be a turning point? I’m unclear, but they should’ve the better of Galway United in this one.
Best Bet: Derry City @ 5/4
Drogheda vs Shelbourne
Drogheda vs Shelbourne – Friday 7:45 pm, LOI TV
Odds
Drogheda – 11/4
Shelbourne -20/23
Draw – 12/5
Preview
Drogheda are in abysmal form, with their two points earned from their last five league games the weakest recent record in the division. However, ahead of this fixture they’ve a record of three wins, two draws and just one defeat from their last six head-to-head matches, including a dramatic 3-4 win at Tolka Park in April.
Shelbourne have started to find the consistency that the talent in their squad would suggest, and their eleven points earned from their last five matches puts them top of the Premier Division form table. Joey O’Brien’s side may have turned a corner, but further successes are needed if they’re to properly join the conversation at the top.
Prediction: Drogheda 0-1 Shelbourne
Drogheda have a strong record against Shelbourne even if their current form is poor; I’d expect them to put in a competitive showing.
Best Bet: Shelbourne 1 Goal Ahead @ 1/2
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.
