It’s that time of the week again! “The Greatest League in the World” is back to light up your weekend! In this post, we've got our League of Ireland tips and predictions, along with our weekly acca, ahead of another weekend in the LOI Premier Division.
With three more Friday Nights left in the 2026 Premier Division season, there’s plenty left to play for, with Shamrock Rovers hoping to stay ahead of St Patrick’s Athletic in the final few weeks of the season. Galway United, Waterford and Drogheda are all hoping to avoid the relegation playoff, and every other side is hoping to finish as high as possible on the table.
In 2026? Expect. The. Unexpected.
LOI Acca Selections
LOI Friday Night #29 Acca Selections
St Patrick’s Athletic vs Shelbourne – St Patrick’s Athletic @ 11/20
Bohemians vs Waterford – Waterford Double Chance @ 5/4
Drogheda vs Derry City – Draw @ 23/10
Galway United vs Shamrock Rovers – Under 2.5 Total Goals @ 10/11
Sligo Rovers vs Dundalk – Sligo Rovers +2 @ 4/11
An accumulator with these selections pays approximately 29/1 with BOYLE Sports.
St Patrick’s Athletic vs Shelbourne
St Patrick’s Athletic vs Shelbourne – Friday 8pm, Virgin Media Two
Odds
St Patrick’s Athletic – 11/20
Shelbourne – 15/4
Draw – 3/1
Preview
St Patrick’s Athletic likely need to go flawless in their remaining league fixtures if they’re to stand any chance of their first Premier Division title since the 2013 season. However, they’ll need to get up for this run of games, having not played since their 0-1 win over Sligo Rovers on the 19th of September. Whether Stephen Kenny’s side can come back fresh and sharp or sluggish and out of sync remains to be seen.
Shelbourne have started to witness some semblance of consistency, having picked up seven points from their last three league games. It’s a pity for supporters that the form has come all too late, and all they can do is secure fourth in the final few weeks, which won’t mean European football due to the FAI Cup final being Waterford vs Derry City.
Prediction: St Patrick’s Athletic 2-1 Shelbourne
Pat’s need a win more than Shels, though the away side might revel in that opportunity. I can still see Stephen Kenny’s squad having enough tonight.
Best Bet: St Patrick’s Athletic @ 11/20
Bohemians vs Waterford
Bohemians vs Waterford – Friday 7:45pm, LOI TV
Odds
Bohemians – 4/7
Waterford – 10/3
Draw – 3/1
Preview
Bohemians have fluffed their lines in recent weeks, going from FAI Cup favourites and well within a title race to effectively now being set for another trophy-less season at Dalymount. How Alan Reynolds' side cope with their recent setbacks in the final few weeks of the season could give a picture of how prepared they are for another title run next season.
Waterford’s comeback under Graham Coughlan in the last few weeks has been one of the stories of the season. However, though they have an FAI Cup final date to look forward to, they still need a few more points in their final four games if they’re to avoid a relegation playoff.
Prediction: Bohemians 1-1 Waterford
Waterford have more to play for and prepare for Friday, and I fancy them for at least a point.
Best Bet: Waterford Double Chance @ 5/4
Drogheda vs Derry City
Drogheda vs Derry City – Friday 7:45pm, Virgin Media Two
Odds
Drogheda – 2/1
Derry City – 23/20
Draw – 23/10
Preview
Drogheda currently sit ninth, in the relegation playoff spot, and will need to pick up points in the coming weeks if they hope to avoid it, and back-to-back defeats first to Bohemians 2-1 and then Shamrock Rovers 3-1 will have fans worrying about their fate if it comes to a playoff in the coming weeks.
Derry City have had a turbulent season on and off the field but in recent weeks have stabilised under the stewardship of Mark Connolly, unbeaten in their last six games in all competitions, including eight points in the league and a 0-2 FAI Cup semi-final victory over Galway United last Saturday.
Prediction: Drogheda 1-1 Derry City
They drew 2-2 last March and have since shared one win apiece, but I fancy a share of the spoils on this occasion.
Best Bet: Draw @ 23/10
Galway United vs Shamrock Rovers
Galway United vs Shamrock Rovers – Friday 7:45pm, LOI TV
Odds
Galway United – 16/5
Shamrock Rovers – 4/6
Draw – 11/4
Preview
Galway United looked to be almost out of relegation trouble following their 1-2 victory over Dundalk, which put them five ahead of Drogheda in the relegation playoff place, but one point in their last two league games and a defeat in the Cup to Derry City last weekend means it’s not quite done yet, with Monday’s trip to Waterford likely key.
Shamrock Rovers' destiny remains in their hands, and they require a maximum of ten points from their final four league games to secure another Premier Division title for Stephen Bradley and his squad. Though they’ve rarely been flashy in 2026, the truth is they didn’t have to be and have shown bottle in abundance when needed.
Prediction: Galway United 0-2 Shamrock Rovers
The Tribesmen generally make it difficult for everyone irrespective of the opposition, except Shamrock Rovers, who always seem to have their number, and I can’t see that changing.
Best Bet: Under 2.5 Total Goals @ 10/11
Sligo Rovers vs Dundalk
Sligo Rovers vs Dundalk – Saturday 7:45pm, LOI TV
Odds
Sligo Rovers – 14/5
Dundalk – 4/6
Draw – 11/4
Preview
Sligo Rovers' relegation to the First Division for the first time since 2005 has finally been confirmed following six consecutive defeats in the top-tier and seven without a win in all competitions. Preparation now begins for Darren Purse, with them hoping to bounce back at the first opportunity in 2027.
What started as a strong return to the Premier Division for Dundalk at the beginning of the season has fallen like a damp squib in recent weeks, and their tally of four points from their last five league games is only better than Sligo Rovers’. Though still not “safe” from the playoff place, it would take an extraordinary turn of events for that to become a factor in the closing weeks.
Prediction: Sligo Rovers 2-1 Dundalk
Sligo Rovers have little to play for, but I think relegation could be a release for them in a sense and fancy them to be competitive come Saturday.
Best Bet: Sligo Rovers +2 @ 4/11
*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.
