In this post, you can find our League of Ireland tips for matchday 21.
Shelbourne remain top of the table following their 1-0 win over Dundalk last weekend which means they continue to maintain a stranglehold of the Premier Division, which nobody would have expected of them at the beginning of the season. Elsewhere, Dundalk are back bottom after Drogheda’s point last weekend, both sides are on 16 points and eight back of the next pack of sides.
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 21 Acca Selections
St Patrick’s Athletic vs Shamrock Rovers - Draw @ 5/2
Bohemians’ vs Derry City - Derry City -1 @ 14/5
Waterford vs Shelbourne - Shelbourne Win + Under 2.5 Goals @ 16/5
Galway vs Drogheda - Galway Win + Under 2.5 Goals @ 5/2
Dundalk vs Sligo Rovers - Sligo Rovers @ 3/1
An accumulator with these selections pays at approximately 781//1 with BoyleSports
St Patrick’s Athletic v Shamrock Rovers – Friday 7.45 pm, LOI TV
Odds
St Patrick’s Athletic @ 3/1
Shamrock Rovers @ 20/23
Draw @ 5/2
Preview
It’s very much early days in Stephen Kenny’s tenure at St Patrick’s Athletic but his return to the LOI following a few months out of a job following the completion of his contract with the Republic of Ireland, he made his shock return to the LOI last month. However, the task in hand is very much a big one with Pats in 8th place and with those around them having games in hand (compounded by incoming European pressure) Kenny will need to work his magic to ensure the club stabilises in the next few weeks.
Everyone still expects Shamrock Rovers to eventually climb to the summit of the table on their way to another LOI Premier Division title. However, they’re currently only third seven points behind Derry City and nine behind Shelbourne, albeit with two and one game in hand over both. Their 0-2 win against Drogheda last Friday, is just the start of the winning run they require now.
Prediction: St Patrick’s Athletic 1-1 Shamrock Rovers
Stephen Kenny has a tall task as Pats’ manager, and they need to put points on the table in the coming weeks. Shamrock Rovers’ aren’t quite performing either though or I can see this being a draw.
Best Bet: Draw @ 5/2
Bet on St Patrick’s Athletic v Shamrock Rovers Odds at BoyleSports
Bohemians v Derry City – Friday 7.45 pm, LOI TV
Odds
Bohemians @ 3/1
Derry City @ 20/21
Draw @ 11/5
Preview
Bohemians have never really recovered from what a chaotic and muchly debated off-season several months ago after their FAI Cup Final defeat against Pats’. Scattered recruitment led to the departure of Declan Devine and the incoming Alan Reynolds early into this season. However, following a 6th finish last year, they’re currently in 7th place and with little to suggest they have come on as a footballing side in the last 12 months.
Derry City gives the impression that they have gears they could potentially go through in this title race, but whether they do or not in the end remains to be seen. However, with a relatively presentable run of fixtures in the coming games, it’s very much do or die for Derry in the coming weeks how credible their title aspirations may or may not be.
Prediction: Bohemians 0-2 Derry City
Bohemians have been less than impressive this season and are another poor run of results away from falling into the relegation conversation. Derry should be far too good for them on the night with Hoban scoring.
Best Bet: Derry City -1 @ 14/5
Bet on Bohemians v Derry City Odds at BoyleSports
Waterford v Shelbourne– Saturday 7.45 pm, LOI TV
Odds
Waterford @ 11/5
Shelbourne @ 5/4
Draw @ 21/10
Preview
Waterford continued their strong season with a 4-1 victory over Sligo Rovers last Friday Night which made it nine points won from their last five league games and level on points with third-place Shamrock Rovers. There is now a considerable distance between themselves and their perceived relegation rivals, but I think they could eventually find themselves in some in-between purgatory in the coming weeks.
Top of the table Shelbourne have silenced some of their doubters in recent weeks (following question marks whether they were in free fall) winning four of their last five league games. The task for Duff’s Shelbourne is to stay in contention for as long as possible in the coming weeks and see where that takes them before the European Fixtures.
Prediction: Waterford 1-0 Shelbourne
Waterford have had a brilliant season and have every chance of getting a result in this game, but I think Shelbourne could have enough.
Best Bet: Shelbourne Win + Under 2.5 Goals @ 16/5
Bet on Waterford v Shelbourne Odds at BoyleSports
Galway v Drogheda – Friday 7.45 pm, LOI TV
Odds
Galway @ 8/13
Drogheda @ 4/1
Draw @ 11/4
Preview
Galway have had a strong return to the Premier Division this season and currently safely occupy fifth place in the league albeit only three ahead of St Patrick’s Athletic who are in eighth place. Following two defeats on the bounce, Galway will need to earn a result here to stop the rut after defeats against Derry City and St Patrick’s Athletic. Interestingly their fourteen goals scored is the second worst in the league and their thirteen conceded is the best in the division.
Drogheda have been less than impressive this season with their sixteen points putting them second from bottom ahead of Dundalk by a goal difference of two. However, if you said to their supporters they would be a sole point ahead of Dundalk at the halfway point, most of their fans would’ve taken that.
Prediction: Galway 1-0 Drogheda
Galway must stop the rut or could fall down the table, this may be Drogheda’s best chance of opening up the relegation race further in the coming weeks. However, Galway should have enough at home here.
Best Bet: Galway Win + Under 2.5 Goals @ 5/2
Bet on Galway v Drogheda Odds at BoyleSports
Dundalk v Sligo Rovers– Friday 7.45 pm, LOI TV
Odds
Dundalk @ 20/23
Sligo Rovers @ 3/1
Draw @ 12/5
Preview
Dundalk were defeated 1-0 against Shelbourne last Friday Night which meant they fell back down to the bottom of the table. However, despite the circumstances behind their season so far being less than ideal, you get the impression there is enough in their squad to improve on their league position in the coming weeks of the season if they can get their house in order (if that happens).
Sligo Rovers have earned seven points from their last five league games to their credit achieving those results in less-than-ideal circumstances with a long injury list. However their 4-1 defeat against Waterford was an off night, but if they win this game they may be out of the immediate relegation picture (for now).
Prediction: Dundalk 1-2 Sligo Rovers
This is a huge game in the context osides' side's seasons and a positive result for either team could change their outlooks considerably. Dundalk should have enough based on every single metric to win here in a normal game, but I think Sligo Rovers run a better ship and will win.
Best Bet: Sligo Rovers @ 3/1
Bet on Dundalk v Sligo Rovers Odds at BoyleSports
*Prices are subject to fluctuation.
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