League of Ireland Tips, Predictions & ACCA - Matchday 26

In this post, we’re bringing you League of Ireland tips, predictions plus an accumulator for Matchday 26.

League of Ireland Matchday 26 Acca Selections

Waterford vs Shamrock Rovers – Draw @ 3/1

Drogheda vs Bohemians – Drogheda @ 21/10

Dundalk vs Galway United - Draw @ 2/1

St Patrick’s Athletic vs Sligo Rovers - Under 2.5 Goals and St Patrick’s Athletic Win @ 3/1

Shelbourne vs Derry City - Under 2.5 Goals and Shelbourne Win @ 4/1

An accumulator with these selections pays at approximately 743//1 with BoyleSports

Waterford v Shamrock Rovers – Friday 7.45 pm, LOI TV

Odds

Waterford @ 10/3

Shamrock Rovers @ 4/6

Draw @ 3/1

Preview

Waterford may have fallen to a disappointing 2-0 loss against Drogheda in their last game to make it back-to-back defeats in the Premier Division. However, that recent run of form doesn’t take too much away from what has been a brilliant season with their 37-point total from 25 league games putting them third on the table and well in the conversation for a European Place for next year.

Shamrock Rovers have been the dominant force in Irish Football for some time winning the Premier Division for the last four successive seasons. However, this year has seen a downturn in their form with their 34-point total from 23 games putting them only in 5th position at this point of the season. Their title defence is in serious jeopardy, and they might need to win all their remaining games to go close.

Prediction: Waterford 1-1 Shamrock Rovers

Waterford have proven themselves this season of being a team more than capable of Premier Division football and despite back-to-back defeats in the league, it will be no easy task for the league champions. Shamrock Rovers are coming off the excursions midweek in Europe so I could see this being a scored draw.

Best Bet: Draw @ 3/1

Drogheda v Bohemians – Friday 7.45 pm, LOI TV

Odds

Drogheda @ 9/4

Bohemians @ 21/20

Draw @ 5/2

Preview

Drogheda finally find themselves in a run of form following three successive victories albeit to varying degrees of importance. Their 2-1 Louth Derby victory in the FAI Cup was followed by a huge 2-0 win over Waterford in the league and a 4-3 friendly penalty victory over Walsall midweek. There is an air of confidence building about Drogheda again and with them only 3 points behind Dundalk with 11 games remaining there is plenty of football left to play for.

Bohemians have had a difficult season; their 1-1 draw against Dundalk last weekend made it 3 points from their last 5 league games which has them only a few points above the relegation places albeit with a few games in hand over those around them. However, their 1-0 victory over Shamrock Rovers the previous weeks shows they do have quality and another cup run could be on the cards for the club.

Prediction: Drogheda 2-1 Bohemians

Drogheda have seen a little upturn in their form since their Louth Derby victory in the FAI Cup and they now have fresh hopes for survival. Bohemians have bought well recently but still need to put points on the table to avoid relegation conversations. I fancy Drogheda to pull off a narrow win.

Best Bet: Drogheda @ 21/10

Dundalk Galway United– Friday 7.45 pm, LOI TV

Odds

Dundalk @ 9/4

Galway United @ 5/4

Draw @ 2/1

Preview

Dundalk are an interesting case having picked up 7 points from their last 5 league games they’re 3 clear of bottom-placed Drogheda and only 4 points back of Bohemians albeit with two more games played. There is plenty of quality in this Dundalk squad and Jon Daly was an FAI Cup winning manager last season so they’re well capable of stringing a run together and getting themselves out of trouble. However, there seems to be a lack of steeliness in the squad which keeps them vulnerable.

Galway had a disappointing 2-0 defeat against Sligo Rovers last Saturday which took their point tally to 7 points from their last 5 league games. However, their 6th league position is somewhat deceiving as they’re also level on points with Shamrock Rovers and only 3 points off third-placed Waterford. They’re tough to beat and remain very much in the conversation for Europe.

Prediction: Dundalk 1-1 Galway United

This is a tough game to call with both sides having contrasting ambitions as we edge towards the end of the season. Ironically at the start of the season, it would’ve been Dundalk tipped for Europe and Galway for relegation. It will be a tight game though and I can see it being a draw.

Best Bet: Draw @ 2/1

St Patrick’s Athletic v Sligo Rovers– Sunday 6.00 pm, LOI TV

Odds

St Patrick’s Athletic @ 4/6

Sligo Rovers @ 15/4

Draw @ 13/5

Preview

St Patrick’s Athletic will head into this fixture on the back of their European exploits and so will be grateful for each day break they get between their game on Thursday and this game on Sunday. However, despite teething problems under Stephen Kenny and the departure of Ruairi Keating back to Cork City, the acquisition of Aidan Keena will be huge for them in both the short and long term as an out-and-out striker more suited to what Kenny wants for his tactical setup. They need a few wins to steer themselves away from the relegation conversation yet, however.

Sigo Rovers are in very strong form with their 2-0 victory against Galway United last weekend making it 5 consecutive competitive victories including 4 league wins and 1 in the FAI Cup over Cobh Wanderers. Sandwiched in between that run of form was also a 3-3 friendly draw with Premier League side Everton. John Russell who has received a lot of criticism throughout his tenure could rise to third with a win in this game.

Prediction: St Patrick’s Athletic 2-0 Sligo Rovers

The home side could have tired legs from Europe, but they do have a degree of depth to their squad that their opponents don’t have so they should be able to balance both with an experienced manager like Stephen Kenny in charge. Sligo Rovers are in flying form and another win could catapult them further into the European places, but I think they come unstuck here to former player Aidan Keena.

Best Bet: Under 2.5 Goals and St Patrick’s Athletic Win @ 3/1

Shelbourne v Derry City – Monday 7.45 pm, LOI TV

Odds

Shelbourne @ 9/5

Derry City @ 13/8

Draw @ 2/1

Preview

Shelbourne are another side that will need to navigate a European tie before this game and with that as good as dead and buried it will be interesting to see in the lead-up to this “title decider” with how Duff will approach squad rotation and fitness. This is a huge game for Shelbourne and a victory would put them 10 points ahead in the league with a game in hand as we come to the close of the season.

Derry City head into this following their disappointing European exit at the hands of F.C. Bruno's Magpies which received plenty of criticism from across areas of Irish Football. However, the league remains their bread and butter and despite Higgins seemingly under pressure if he can mastermind an away victory here they would put themselves back into a genuine title race.

Prediction: Shelbourne 1-0 Derry City

Shelbourne for me are the more reliable betting prospect in this game and I suspect Duff will have his troops rallied enough to snatch a crucial win in this game.

Best Bet: Under 2.5 Goals and Shelbourne Win @ 4/1

*Prices are subject to fluctuation

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