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.
LOI Football is back! Shelbourne managed by Ireland legend Damien Duff lead the way at the top of the table with 20 points from their opening 8 games, with the remaining top four consisting of Sligo Rovers, Derry City and Shamrock Rovers.
We’re continuing our domestic coverage with another preview of the weekly action along with a weekly acca for readers to consider!
Week 8 Acca Selections
Derry City vs Dundalk – Draw @ 3/1
Bohemians vs Waterford – BTTS No @ EVS
St Patrick’s Athletic vs Shamrock Rovers – Draw @ 12/5
Drogheda vs Shelbourne – BTTS + Draw @ 15/4
Sligo Rovers vs Galway United - Over 1.5 Goals + Draw @ 7/2
An accumulator with these selections pays at approximately 580/1 with BoyleSports
Derry City v Dundalk – Friday 7.45 pm, LOI TV
Odds
Derry City @ 1/2
Dundalk @ 11/2
Draw @ 3/1
Preview
Derry City have 12 points from their opening 8 league games which puts them third albeit 8 points behind league leaders Shelbourne. However, I’m still not convinced that this Higgins side has the mentality to win a league, even if few would argue that they don’t have the talent. Despite the signing of Hoban who leads the way as the league's top-scorer with 6, they’ve only 10 goals in total from their first 8 games which is lower than their total from last season at the same stage with 12.
It may be early days in the season, but signs are that Dundalk could be in serious relegation trouble with only 3 points from their opening 7 league games their 2-goal total is the worst in the Division while their 11 conceded is the joint-worst defence with Waterford. Along with that one of their better performers, Archie Davies will miss this game following his red card on Easter Monday against Drogheda.
Prediction: Derry City 1-1 Dundalk
Derry are four matches unbeaten against Dundalk, but while both sides are on opposite ends of the table, both managers are under pressure for their jobs with both sides not giving the results/performances that their fans would desire.
Interestingly, this pits two sides with artificial surfaces against one another so the pitch won’t be a factor for either team. I have a sneaky suspicion that this could be an underwhelming 1-1 draw.
Best Bet: Draw @ 3/1
Click Here For Our LIVE Derry City v Dundalk Odds
Bohemians v Waterford – Friday 7.45 pm, LOI TV
Odds
Bohemians @ 23/20
Waterford @ 21/20
Draw @ 23/10
Preview
Bohemians earned themselves an impressive 0-2 win against Galway United on Easter Monday, recovering from their Dublin Derby defeat against Shamrock Rovers to give them their first league victory under Alan Reynolds. Despite just starting his tenure, the fixture computer already has him back against his former club in Waterford, and there will be no man better versed in knowing what tactics will be needed to win this game.
Waterford and Keith Long assisted by Padraig Amond who is back in the league, started the season like a runaway freight train. However, there could be signs that they’ve returned to their equilibrium position in 8 th with 3 defeats and 1 draw from their last 4 games seeing them plummet down the table.
Prediction: Bohemians 1-0 Waterford
Bohemians despite their on and off-the-field struggles, still have a useful squad at their disposal and the defensive duo of Mills and Matheson were particularly impressive in their recent win against Galway. While Waterford will be out to prove their early form wasn’t a mere flash in the pan and they do have game-changers like Asamoah, Amond and Parsons who always look capable of a moment of brilliance.
Best Bet: BTTS No @ EVS
Click Here For Our LIVE Bohemians v Waterford Odds
St Patrick's Athletic v Shamrock Rovers– Friday 7.45 pm, LOI TV
Odds
St Patrick's Athletic @ 11/4
Shamrock Rovers @ 20/21
Draw @ 12/5
Preview
The reigning FAI Cup Champions had high expectations heading into the new season, but a slow start brought them 3 defeats and 1 win from their first 4 league games piling the pressure early days on Jon Daly. However, their recent 3-0 success against an in-form Sligo Rovers following a brace from defender Turner and a late goal from teenage sensation Melia suggests to me that they’re finally finding their feet.
Shamrock Rovers also had a slow start, but having been here so many times before, Bradley had far more credit in the bank than Daly. However, their 1-2 victory on Easter Monday has them unbeaten in 5 league games and flying up the league into 4 th level on points with fast starters Sligo and second-favourites for the title Derry City with a game in hand on their rivals.
Prediction: St Patrick’s Athletic 1-1 Shamrock Rovers
Pats have failed to beat Shamrock Rovers in their last 8 attempts losing and drawing once their last win came in March 2022. But for some reason, I can see this being a close affair and I think a draw could be on the cards for the first time in 5 matches between them.
Best Bet: Draw @ 5/2
Click Here For Our LIVE Shamrock Rovers v Bohemians Odds
Drogheda v Shelbourne– Friday 7.45 pm, LOI TV
Odds
Drogheda @ 14/5
Shelbourne @ 10/11
Draw @ 12/5
Preview
Drogheda head into this fixture following a 0-0 stalemate at Oriel Park in the Louth Derby on Easter Monday. While expectations were high for them at the beginning of the season, their inability to score goals (5) puts them as the second-lowest scorers with Galway ahead of Dundalk who have (2). You get the feeling there is more to come with this Drogheda side but need a few wins or they’ll find themselves in relegation trouble like their Louth neighbours.
Shelbourne are this season's early surprise package leading the way with an unbeaten start and 20 points from their opening 8 games. It may be premature to say that they could challenge for a league title, all they can do is put up points in the games they’re given and see where that takes them in a few months.
Prediction: Drogheda 1-1 Shelbourne
There is more to come this season from Drogheda but are winless against Shelbourne in 5 matches since their 3-1 victory back in August 2022.
Shelbourne are yet to taste defeat this season and will look to continue that form, but I can see this being a 1-1 draw like it was the last time Drogheda hosted Shelbourne at home.
Best Bet: BTTS + Draw @ 15/4
Click Here For Our LIVE Drogheda v Shelbourne Odds
Sligo Rovers v Galway United– Saturday 7.45 pm, LOI TV
Odds
Sligo Rovers @ 13/10
Galway United @ 2/1
Draw @ 21/10
Preview
Sligo Rovers were tipped by plenty to be one of the sides fighting relegation before the season started. However, their early season form under John Russell means their 12-point total from 8 games puts them second in the table and even if their “title challenge" looks destined to fall away any points now when in form will be crucial to their survival prospects in an ultra-competitive Premier Division.
Galway’s adaptation from First Division front-runners to Premier Division underdogs started well but they’ve now only 1 win from their last 5 league games which has seen them fall to 7 th in the table. While their 0-2 defeat against Bohemians was a poor result and performance it was the first time they’d lost by more than a goal this season and so more often than not put themselves in contention for points
Prediction: Sligo Rovers 1-1 Galway United
Sligo Rovers have started the season very well, but following a few injuries early in the season and more midweek, this will be a careful time for John Russell to martial his troops in the coming weeks considering their smaller squad size. Galway tend to put themselves in contention in most games and I think they can capitalise on a depleted Sligo to earn a point,
Best Bet: Over 1.5 Goals + Draw @ 7/2
Click Here For Our LIVE Sligo Rovers v Galway United Odds
*Prices subject to fluctuation
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