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 are seven ahead of second-placed Bohemians and nine ahead of St Patrick’s Athletic, who have two games in hand over both following the latest round of fixtures.
In the race for the final European Place, Dundalk are currently in the driving seat with points as well as games in hand over Shelbourne and Derry City . The race to beat the drop has gotten even tighter with just seven points separating Galway United , Drogheda , Sligo Rovers and Waterford .
In 2026? Expect. The. Unexpected.
LOI Acca Selections
LOI Friday Night #20 Acca Selections
Shelbourne vs Dundalk – Draw @ 13/5
Derry City vs Waterford – HT Draw FT Derry City @ 16/5
St Patrick’s Athletic vs Galway United – Under 2.5 Total Goals @ 4/5
Sligo Rovers vs Shamrock Rovers – Shamrock Rovers @ 8/15
Drogheda vs Bohemians - Bohemians @ 4/6
an accumulator with these selections pays approximately 85/1 with BOYLE Sports .
Shelbourne vs Dundalk
Shelbourne vs Dundalk - Friday 8 pm, Virgin Media Two
Odds
Shelbourne – EVS
Dundalk - 15/8
Draw – 13/5
Preview
It’s been a long week for Shelbourne Football Club, though it initially appeared that Joey O’Brien was set to survive the 0-3 defeat to Bohemians. I t was announced three days later that he had left the club. Lorcan Fitzgerald has taken interim charge, and on Saturday, they battled back to a 2-2 draw with Sligo Rovers .
Dundalk ’s whirlwind run this season took a little setback last time out when they were overcome in a 2-3 thriller by Waterford at Oriel Park. That doesn’t take away what’s been an exceptional run for Ciaran Kilduff and his squad, and if they can win their games in-hand over those around them, they may be looking at finishing even higher than fourth place.
Prediction: Shelbourne 1-1 Dundalk
Shelbourne are still on the lookout for their next manager, Dundalk have been excellent this and yet I could see this ending in a scored draw.
Best Bet: Draw @ 13/5
Derry City vs Waterford
Derry City vs Waterford– Friday 7:45 pm, LOI TV
Odds
Derry City – 2/5
Waterford – 5/1
Draw – 10/3
Preview
Derry City took what could be a huge mental step in their 2026 Premier Division campaign when they ran out relatively comfortable 2-0 winners over Drogheda . Not only did those three points help distance them from those immediately above them, but it also meant they gained points on Shelbourne , Dundalk and St Patrick’s Athletic above them on the table.
Waterford continued their exceptional run of form under Graham Coughlan when they beat Dundalk 2-3 last time out. Said victory means for the first time in weeks they’re in touching distance of getting off the bottom of the table with Sligo Rovers now only three ahead of them in the battle to beat the immediate drop.
Prediction: Derry City 1-0 Waterford
Both sides have seen an uptick in their recent form, but on pure quality alone, the home side should just edge it.
Best Bet: HT Draw FT Derry City @ 16/5
St Patrick’s Athletic vs Galway United
St Patrick’s Athletic vs Galway United, Friday 7:45 pm, LOI TV
Odds
St Patrick’s Athletic – 2/5
Galway United – 11/2
Draw – 7/2
Preview
St Patrick’s Athletic fluffed their lines once again last weekend in the Premier Division when they lost 2-0 to Bohemians, which saw them fall to third on the table, though they still have two games in hand over them and Shamrock Rovers . The one point of gain they may have in the coming weeks is ironically their lack of European Football.
Galway United were not expected to land a glove on Shamrock Rovers, but as a consequence their 3-1 defeat takes their tally from their last five to just four points, and they’re now only four above second from bottom Sligo Rovers and seven clear of Waterford in last.
Prediction: St Patrick’s Athletic 2-0 Galway United
Two sides who’ll be looking to bounce back, but you’d expect Pat’s to get the job done.
Best Bet: Under 2.5 Total Goals @ 4/5
Sligo Rovers vs Shamrock Rovers
Sligo Rovers vs Shamrock Rovers Friday, 7:30 pm, LOI TV
Odds
Sligo Rovers – 4/1
Shamrock Rovers - 8/15
Draw – 3/1
Preview
Sligo Rovers ended their three-game pointless streak last weekend when they held Shelbourne to a 2-2 draw at the Showgrounds, though it could’ve been so much more, collapsing from a 2-0 lead after Ali Coote scored in the 81st minute and Paddy Barrett equalised in the 95th minute.
Shamrock Rovers are seven ahead of Bohemians, with both sides having played the same number of fixtures, and nine ahead of St Patrick’s Athletic, having played two games over the third-place side as we gear toward the European window. Stephen Bradley has cultivated a squad which has been the dominant force in Irish Football for sometime and they remain favourites for the 2026 with good reason.
Prediction: Sligo Rovers 1-2 Shamrock Rovers
The Bit O’Red have two wins and a draw from their last five games against the league leaders, but this time around, I don’t think they have the form to get the job done.
Best Bet: Shamrock Rovers @ 8/15
Drogheda vs Bohemians
Drogheda vs Bohemians – Saturday 7:45 pm, LOI TV
Odds
Drogheda – 16/5
Bohemians -4/6
Draw – 11/4
Preview
Drogheda are another side who come into the weekend's fixtures in poor form, with their 2-0 defeat to Derry City last time out meaning they’ve only earned three points in their last five league games, with each point coming from a draw. With Kevin Doherty’s side only two ahead of Sligo Rovers and five clear of Waterford, further wins will be needed sooner rather than later.
In 2026, Bohemians generally do bounce back from disappointments, and their 2-0 victory over St Patrick’s Athletic last weekend firmly established them as a major player at the top of the table. Their thirty-eight goals scored is the joint best in the division, and if they can tighten up a little more defensively, they’ll certainly be a trophy hunt come October/November time.
Prediction: Drogheda 1-2 Bohemians
Drogheda generally always show some fight, but I think they’re stuck in a rut at the moment, which they’ll find it hard to get out of.
Best Bet: Bohemians @ 4/6
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.
