In this post, you can find our League of Ireland tips plus a weekly ACCA as we look ahead to another Friday night of domestic action.
The League of Ireland Premier Division is hotting up at the halfway point of the season, Shelbourne led by Damien Duff lead the way, Dundalk are in a relegation scrap and Stephen Kenny is back in management with St Patrick’s Athletic!
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 Matchday 20 Acca Selections
Derry City vs Galway United - Draw @ 23/10
Shelbourne vs Dundalk - Shelbourne Win + Under 2.5 Goals @ 23/10
Waterford vs Sligo Rovers - BTTS + Draw @ 10/3
Drogheda vs St Patrick’s Athletic - St Patrick’s Athletic -1 @ 10/3
An accumulator with these selections pays at approximately 203/1 with BoyleSports.
Derry City v Galway United – Friday 7.45 pm, LOI TV
Odds
Derry City @ 3/4
Galway United @ 15/4
Draw @ 23/10
Preview
Derry City despite not being overly impressive in the first half of the season in terms of performance are very much in the title race with their 35-point tally putting them in second place two behind Shelbourne and four ahead of Shamrock Rovers, albeit both sides have a game in hand over them. However, for me it’s do-or-die in their next 5 games in terms of the title race, with a relatively easy run ahead of Europe if they can get results in all/majority of those games the signs will be strong for Derry City supporters.
Galway have taken their First Division domination form into the Premier Division with a 27-point total from their opening eighteen games putting them fifth in the league. Furthermore, they have games in hand on those around them so could see their position rise further if they pick up points in the coming weeks. The managerial duo of Caulfield and Horgan deserve plaudits for the job they have done so far.
Prediction: Derry City 1-1 Galway United
The next few games for Derry decide the prevailing narrative for the rest of the season so a win would be crucial for them. However, Galway are no easy nut to crack, and I can see them earning a point at Brandywell.
Best Bet: Draw @ 23/10
Bet on Derry City v Galway United Odds at BoyleSports
Shelbourne v Dundalk – Friday 7.45 pm, LOI TV
Odds
Shelbourne @ 4/5
Dundalk @ 15/4
Draw @ 9/4
Preview
Shelbourne have been the story of the season under former Republic of Ireland International Damien Duff at the halfway point they top the table with 37 points from their 37 matches putting them two points ahead of Derry City with a game in hand over their closest challengers. However, last Friday’s victory 1-2 against Sligo Rovers could be a big step back in their title credentials.
Dundalk earned themselves a huge 2-3 victory against St Patrick’s Athletic last Friday Night which meant they finally moved off the bottom of the table leapfrogging their Louth Rivals Dundalk by a point with their total of sixteen. While it’s been a turbulent start to their season they have two games in hand over St Patrick’s Athletic above them so the tide could be starting to turn brighter for the Oriel faithful
Prediction: Shelbourne 1-0 Dundalk
Shelbourne are the real deal, despite their loss last weekend, they have a knack for grinding out results when it matters under Duff and Tolka Park remains a fortress. Dundalk have a stronger chance than they would’ve had at other points of the season, but I still think this game is a little beyond them at this point of the season.
Best Bet: Shelbourne Win + Under 2.5 Goals @ 23/10
Bet on Shelbourne v Dundalk Odds at BoyleSports
Waterford v Sligo Rovers– Saturday 7.45 pm, LOI TV
Odds
Waterford @ 20/21
Sligo Rovers @ 14/5
Draw @ 11/5
Preview
Waterford led by Keith Long have silenced their detractors this season and are currently in fourth position on 28 points from their opening 19 games of the season. That line of form puts them closer to the top of the table (nine points back) than they’re ahead of bottom-placed Drogheda (thirteen points ahead). Their 3-0 loss against Derry City is a setback, but they have what it takes to bounce back in this game.
Sligo Rovers have performed admirably well under John Russell in recent weeks especially with them amidst somewhat of an injury crisis. Having had two victories, two draws and one defeat from their last five games puts them sixth and only three points off Waterford in fourth place.
Prediction: Waterford 2-2 Sligo Rovers
Waterford have scored an average of 1.4 Goals Per Game which is the third highest in the league although their 1.2 Goals Conceded is the fourth worst in the league. Sligo have also conceded 1.2 Goals Per Game and have scored 1.1. That being said, I think this could be a high-scoring draw.
Best Bet: BTTS + Draw @ 10/3
Bet on Waterford v Sligo Rovers Odds at BoyleSports
Drogheda v St Patrick’s Athletic – Friday 7.45 pm, LOI TV
Odds
Drogheda @ 21/10
St Patrick’s Athletic @ 6/5
Draw @ 23/10
Preview
Drogheda find themselves rooted at the bottom of the table and very much in trouble at the halfway point of the season. They’ve lost their last four league games which means they’re eight back of third from bottom St Patrick’s Athletic albeit with two games in hand. While I do believe the club has a bright future this will be a tall task to avoid relegation from the Premier Division.
St Patrick’s Athletic head into this fixture following a 2-3 defeat to Dundalk last weekend, which put into perspective the task on Stephen Kenny’s hand if he’s to turn their fortunes this season. However, while there are weak points in their side, they have a stronger squad than their league position suggests, and I fancy them to climb the table in the coming weeks with a good run of form.
Prediction: Drogheda 0-2 St Patrick’s Athletic
Drogheda are in serious relegation trouble and could find themselves cut a drift at the bottom if results go against them on Friday Night. I fancy St Patrick’s Athletic to win this game comfortably.
Best Bet: St Patrick’s Athletic -1 @ 10/3
Bet on Drogheda United v St Patrick’s Athletic Odds at BoyleSports
*Prices are subject to fluctuation.
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