In this post, you can find our League of Ireland Odds + Weekly Acca as we look forward to an action-packed season of Irish Football.
The League of Ireland is very much underway with 33% of the Premier Division fixtures played, Shelbourne remain top of the table albeit only 2 points behind an injury-depleted Shamrock Rovers side. On the other end of the scale, Noel King had a triumphed return to Dundalk last weekend which has tightened the battle at the bottom of the table considerably.
We’re continuing our domestic coverage with another preview of the weekly action along with a weekly acca for readers to consider!
League of Ireland Week 14 Acca Selections
Bohemians’ vs Shamrock Rovers – Shamrock Rovers Win @ 5/6
Dundalk vs Shelbourne – Shelbourne @ 11/8
Galway United vs Derry City – Draw @ 21/10
Sligo Rovers vs Waterford – Sligo Rovers @ 13/10
St Patrick’s Athletic vs Drogheda – Drogheda @ 7/2
An accumulator with these selections pays at approximately 138//1 with BoyleSports
Bohemians v Shamrock Rovers – Friday 7.45 pm, LOI TV
Odds
Bohemians @ 3/1
Shamrock Rovers @ 5/6
Draw @ 5/2
Preview
Bohemians were brought back to reality last weekend losing 2-0 against Dundalk at Oriel Park in Noel King’s first official game in charge of the club. There was plenty of conjecture at the start of the season with the departure of Declan Devine and the incoming of Alan Reynolds, I think a lot more was made of that than it was, and I think with them currently 4th they’re more or less where they should be and will become the end of the season at the moment.
It's a testament to Shamrock Rovers that despite them having an injury list of roughly 8-10 players per game in recent times. They continue to climb up the table which shows the quality in their squad most recently demolishing Drogheda 4-0 on Monday Night where 5 Academy Graduates featured from the bench alongside 1 who started.
Prediction: Bohemians 0-2 Shamrock Rovers
The Dublin Derby and arguably the biggest game of the season, fireworks, goals and drama can always be guaranteed in this fixture. However, despite Bohemians having home advantage and Rovers’ struggling with injuries I still think their strength in depth is more than good enough to win.
Best Bet: Shamrock Rovers @ 5/6
Dundalk v Shelbourne – Friday 7.45 pm, LOI TV
Odds
Dundalk @ 9/4
Shelbourne @ 11/8
Draw @ 19/10
Preview
Dundalk have received plenty of criticism for both their activity on and off the field this season, no more so than the appointment of Noel King as manager in recent weeks. However, in his first game in charge on Friday Night they earned a 2-0 win over in-form outfit Bohemians, cutting the gap between themselves and their relegation rivals. This relegation race is far from run yet with 2/3 of the fixtures to play.
Shelbourne in some senses are overshadowed by the “Cult of Personality” that is Damien Duff in the dugout at times this season, but the unfiltered passion he brings to football in this country is all for the benefit of Irish Football. They recovered from a 4-game winless run last weekend to win 1-0 against St Patrick’s Athletic it shows there is still life to their title charge for another week.
Prediction: Dundalk 0-2 Shelbourne
Dundalk proved there is far more to come from them this season with their latest success against Bohemians. However, I think this is a much sterner test against Shelbourne who should be far better drilled and further along their development as a team.
Shelbourne to win, but I wouldn’t rule out Dundalk pulling off a minor shock.
Best Bet: Shelbourne @ 11/8
Galway United v Derry City – Friday 7.45 pm, LOI TV
Odds
Galway United @ 9/4
Derry City @ 5/4
Draw @ 21/10
Preview
Galway have adapted to Premier Division life reasonably well with the side currently locked in 5th place on 16 points with 12 games gone in their season. Interestingly they do have a game in hand on those around them and so could climb further up the table in the coming days. However, the main story with them is that John Caulfield has been given a further three-game touchline ban after breaching suspension against Sligo Rovers following footage emerging from the crowd.
Despite criticism coming Derry’s way for their less-than-consistent start to the season, they head into this fixture following two successive victories 3-1 against St Patrick’s Athletic and 0-2 against Waterford. However, I remain unconvinced about their title credentials and coming against the best defence in the Premier Division this may be their biggest attacking test of the season.
Prediction: Galway United 0-0 Derry City
Galway usually play out tight games with a perfect split between their results 4 wins, 4 draws and 4 losses, scoring 7 goals and conceding 7. They will be tough to beat even without Caulfield on the sideline while this is the ultimate test for Derry to see if they have finally turned the tide. I can see it being a drab 0-0 affair.
Best Bet: Draw @ 21/10
Sligo Rovers v Waterford – Friday 7.45 pm, LOI TV
Odds
Sligo Rovers @ 13/10
Waterford @ 21/10
Draw @ 11/5
Preview
Sligo Rovers, despite a relatively positive start to their season, have recently slumped to where plenty predicted they would be before the season commenced with 2 points from their last 5 league games meaning they have fallen to 7th in the table. Their most recent defeat 3-1 against Drogheda could set alarm bells ringing for Johnny Russell and his job prospects. However, the table is tight and a win or two could see them climb back into the European places.
Waterford are another side who following a decent start to their season have now fallen down the table with 5 points from their last 5 league games putting them 8th in the table and only 2 ahead of Drogheda who currently occupy the relegation playoff spot. However, it’s been their away form which has shone brightest with 8 of their 13 points coming from away games.
Prediction: Sligo Rovers 1-0 Waterford
This is a huge game in the context of both sides' seasons and a win for either would be huge while a draw would keep both of them very much in the relegation mix. This could go any way but I think Sligo may just edge it.
Best Bet: Sligo Rovers @ 13/10
St Patrick’s Athletic v Drogheda– Saturday 7.45 pm, LOI TV
Odds
St Patrick’s Athletic @ 8/11
Drogheda @ 7/2
Draw @ 5/2
Preview
St Patrick’s Athletic came into the season as reigning FAI Cup Champions’ and following an off-season of recruitment which many saw as on the whole positive, some thought they could challenge for the title this year. However, for now, those predictions proved to be very much wide of the mark with the team struggling for consistency 2 defeats on the bounce and 4 winless matches has them slumped down to 6th.
Drogheda are another side who haven’t quite performed as strongly as their supporters would have liked this year and have an identical points tally to their opponents (5) in the last 5 league games. However, I think there is a better feeling behind Doherty at Drogheda than Daly at Pats and they may be baying for blood on Friday.
Prediction: St Patrick’s Athletic 0-1 Drogheda
St Patrick’s Athletic haven’t quite performed this season and another run of poor results could remarkably leave Jon Daly’s job under threat. However, a few wins and all will seem well again such is the tight nature of the league.
Drogheda may have been battered by Shamrock Rovers’ but I still believe that was a freak result and they are well capable of providing a shock here.
Best Bet: Drogheda @ 7/2
*Prices are subject to fluctuation.
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