League Of Ireland Tips, Predictions & Weekly Acca – Matchday 22

In this post, you can find our League of Ireland tips for matchday 22 plus weekly acca selections and analysis of all the upcoming action.

Premier Division football is back following its two-week break! Shelbourne can no longer be discounted in the title race with them currently 2 points ahead of Derry in 2nd with a game in hand.

At the bottom of the table, Dundalk are 3 points ahead of Drogheda in 10th place and it looks likely that both sides will be fighting it out to avoid the automatic relegation spot in the coming months.

League of Ireland Acca Selections – Matchday 22

St Patrick’s Athletic vs Bohemians - St Patrick’s Athletic @ 10/11

Sligo Rovers vs Shamrock Rovers - Shamrock Rovers -1 @ EVS

Shelbourne vs Galway United - Draw @ 19/10

Dundalk vs Waterford - Waterford @ 23/10

Derry City vs Drogheda - Derry City Win + Under 3.5 Goals @ EVS

An accumulator with these selections pays at approximately 72//1 with BoyleSports.

St Patrick’s Athletic v Bohemians – Friday 7.45 pm, LOI TV

Odds

St Patrick’s Athletic @ 10/11

Bohemians @ 3/1

Draw @ 23/10

Preview

Prior to the “Summer Break” Stephen Kenny’s St Patrick Athletic side earned a huge 2-1 comeback victory against reigning champions Shamrock Rovers after Johnny Kenny’s 32nd opener was cancelled out by Ruairi Keating on the 76th minute before Brandon Kavanagh’s 96th minute winner. That victory has flipped the narrative of their season and with the return of keeper Joseph Anang imminent, the wheel is turning nicely for their fortunes at the close of the season and the start of their European Run.

Things haven’t gone much better for Bohemians as the weeks have gone on following what was a chaotic off-season which led to a transfer market scramble (which is easy to say didn’t work out too well). Alan Reynolds has received criticism for his involvement with the Ireland U21s, but the reality is pre-existing contractual matters meant Bohemians supporters had little to complain about. Reynolds needs time but he’s received a huge boost with the confirmation that Ross Tierney has returned to the club following a spell cross-channel.

Prediction: St Patrick’s Athletic 2-0 Bohemians

Pats have drawn and lost their previous two games against Bohemians this season. However, in recent times with the arrival of Kenny and new players starting to come in I think they should be on an entirely different trajectory to Bohs who are stuck in a rut now.

Best Bet: St Patrick’s Athletic @ 10/11

Sligo Rovers v Shamrock Rovers – Friday 7.45 pm, LOI TV

Odds

Sligo Rovers @ 7/1

Shamrock Rovers @ 1/3

Draw @ 15/4

Preview

Back-to-back defeats for Sligo Rovers means despite their recent up-turn in form under difficult circumstances (an injury crisis) the club finds themselves in 7th albeit only 6 points behind Shamrock Rovers with the same number of games played. While they were humbled 3-0 by Shamrock Rovers last April, in their last game at the Showgrounds they earned a 0-0 draw.

Shamrock Rovers have just 6 points from their last 5 league games and now more than ever their title defence looks to be in serious jeopardy. They do have that tinge of class though of all clubs in the league and even with their own injury “crisis” they can name a starting side of players who would essentially start for every team in the country. Things can get brighter though with a game in hand over Shelbourne and two over Derry City, so it's not quite over yet.

Prediction: Sligo Rovers 0-3 Shamrock Rovers

If both sides were playing to their maximum potential then it would be the Dublin Rovers emerging victorious. However, it is the former who seems to be coping with their injury issues more aptly. I still expect Shamrock Rovers to run out comfortable winners in this game though with Johnny Kenny getting on the scoresheet.

Best Bet: Shamrock Rovers -1 @ EVS

Shelbourne v Galway United– Friday 7.45 pm, LOI TV

Odds

Shelbourne @ 23/20

Galway United @ 13/5

Draw @ 19/10

Preview

Shelbourne continue to silence doubters with 12 points from their last 5 league games putting them two clear of Derry with a game in hand and most importantly 12 ahead of Shamrock Rovers having played an extra game. During the break, their momentum has continued with Duff signing an extension and the acquisitions of Sam Bone and Ali Coote the signs that their positive season can continue are bright.

Galway have comfortably adapted to life in the Premier Division and their 9-point total from their last 5 league games puts them 5th with 3 games in hand over Pats below them as well as 3 points and 1 point behind Waterford with a game in hand. Credit goes to the duo of Caulfield and Horgan for making them so difficult to beat in the Premier Division.

Prediction: Shelbourne 1-1 Galway United

Shelbourne are the real deal, but interestingly in an interview on their club podcast, Duff proclaimed that Galway are probably the one side who outworks his Shelbourne team. A huge compliment and I can see both sides cancelling each other out in this game.

Best Bet: Draw @ 19/10

Dundalk v Waterford – Friday 7.45 pm, LOI TV

Odds

Dundalk @ 6/5

Waterford @ 23/10

Draw @ 21/10

Preview

Dundalk have 7 points in their last 5 league games which has meant they leapfrogged Drogheda and gone off the bottom of the table which provides Jon Daly and his team the platform to kick on in the coming weeks. However, Bohemians immediately above them have 5 more points and two games in hand so will need to continue their upturn in form if they’re to get out of the relegation playoff spot.

Waterford led by Keith Long are the season’s surprise packages even ahead of the season nobody would’ve expected them to be level on points with Shamrock Rovers 21 games into the season. The acquisition of Padraig Amond who is the joint top-scorer in the division now with 11 goals has been a huge reason for their success.

Prediction: Dundalk 0-1 Waterford

Dundalk has shown signs of life in recent weeks, but there is still this air of inconsistency surrounding their results and performances. Had this been the start of the season I’d have tipped Dundalk but Waterford deserve credit now and I think they win this.

Best Bet: Waterford @ 23/10

Derry City v Drogheda – Saturday 7.45 pm, LOI TV

Odds

Derry City @ 3/10

Drogheda @ 9/1

Draw @ 15/4

Preview

Derry City to their credit have found a level of consistency in recent games with 3 wins in their last 3 and 11 points in their last 5 league games. It’s do or die for them now, with a relatively easy run in the coming games if they can continue to pick up positive results they could challenge Shelbourne for the Premier Division title and leave Shamrock Rovers trailing back in third place.

Drogheda are in a battle, rooted at the bottom of the table with 16 points and 1 point in their last 5 league games. It’s looking likely that they will suffer automatic relegation or be forced to face the relegation playoff game at the end of the season. However, the main thing for them is to stay in touch with Dundalk and see where that takes them in the final few weeks of the season.

Prediction: Derry City 2-0 Drogheda

Derry City look stronger and more consistent than ever before, and they need to win here to continue their title charge. I’m expecting Hoban to get on the scoresheet in a 2-0 victory.

Best Bet: Derry City Win + Under 3.5 Goals @ EVS

*Prices are subject to fluctuation.

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