LOI Premier Division Odds, Best Bet & Weekly Acca – Friday Night #10

In this post, you can find our League of Ireland tips and predictions along with our weekly acca ahead of the opening weekend of the LOI Premier Division season.

It’s that time of the week year again! “The Greatest League in the World” is back to light up your Friday Nights and weekends! This promises to be as compelling as ever, with Damien Duff’s Shelbourne side looking to retain their 2024 Premier Division success.

LOI Friday Night #10 Acca Selections

Shamrock Rovers vs Shelbourne – Shelbourne 1 Goal Ahead @ 13/8

Bohemians vs St Patrick’s Athletic – Over 2.5 Goals @ EVS

Galway United vs Drogheda United – Drogheda United or Draw @ 3/4

Waterford vs Derry City – Derry City 1 Goal Ahead @ 4/9

Sligo Rovers vs Cork City - Cork City or Draw @ 4/6

An accumulator with these selections pays at approximately 21/1 with BoyleSports.

Shamrock Rovers vs Shelbourne –  Friday 7.45 pm,  Virgin Media 2

Odds

Shamrock Rovers @  4/5

Shelbourne @ 7/2

Draw @ 9/4

Preview

Though Rovers are winless in their last two Premier Division fixtures due to the run of form before that their stereotypical slow start to the league in recent seasons has been more solid than in recent memory with 18 points from 11 games putting them 3rd and only 2 behind league leaders Drogheda United. However, given the tight nature of the league and their dramatic Easter Monday 2-3 defeat to Bohemians they’re simultaneously only 4 ahead of Bohs in 7th.

You know what you’re getting with this Shelbourne side under Damien Duff, well-drilled, very little thrills but more often than not tough to beat. From their 11 games this season they’ve the joint lowest defeat tally with only 1 along with Drogheda. Interestingly though they’ve now gone back-to-back for 2-2 draws with concerns for their usually dominant defensive record.

Prediction Shamrock Rovers  1-1 Shelbourne

Shamrock Rovers have only one win in their last 5 games against Shelbourne and I’m expecting a tight affair on Friday Night.

Best Bet: Shelbourne 1 Goal Ahead @ 13/8

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

Odds

Bohemians @ 19/10

St Patrick’s Athletic @ 13/10

Draw @ 2/1

Preview

How much things can change in a week ay?  Bohemians in the space of a week have won 3 consecutive matches in all competitions including two league wins 1-0 against Cork City and in a thriller 2-3 against Shamrock Rovers on Monday Night. Alan Reynolds who was seemingly under a strong degree of pressure before that game (and still may be) but are now only 5 points back of league leaders Drogheda United.

Pats in the last week have gone back-to-back draws in the league in two very different means coming last Monday in a 0-0 draw away against Drogheda and last Friday Night in a 2-2 thriller at home against Shamrock Rovers. You get the sense with this side that there is far more in their locker and if and when they finally click into gear I expect they will be top of the pile come the end of the season.

Prediction: Bohemians 1-2 St Patrick’s Athletic

Bohs have undergone some sort of renaissance in the last week, but I still think Pats are far too good of a side for them.

Best Bet: Over 2.5 Goals @ EVS

Galway United vs Drogheda United –  Friday 7.45 pm, LOI TV

Odds

Galway United @ 20/21

Drogheda United @ 11/4

Draw @ 11/5

Preview

Galway United played out a 2-2 draw against Tolka Park on Monday following a brace of goals from Moses Dyer who has been a revelation for the club this season. Despite their brilliant return to the top tier last year, their 33 goals was by far the second lowest in the division (only Dundalk’s 23 worse). But in Moses Dyer who’s the current joint league top-scorer with 5 goals they’ve now found an attacker to spearhead their defence.

We’re now 30% through the Premier Division season and Kevin Doherty has still managed to Moneyball this Drogheda United side to the top of the pile. There will become a point where their title credentials should genuinely not be ignored but I believe we’re a few weeks away from that. While they drew 0-0 against Pats on Monday at home the most interesting stat for me was they managed to get 14 shots from just 37% of the ball while restricting their opponents to only 8.

Prediction: Galway United 1-1 Drogheda United

Two sides who’ve punched above their weight in recent seasons, but I think Drogheda avoid defeat away from home.

Best Bet : Drogheda United or Draw @ 3/4

Waterford vs Derry City – Friday 7.45 pm, LOI TV

Odds                                                                                         

Waterford @ 10/3

Derry City  @ 3/4

Draw @ 12/5

Preview

Be under no illusion Waterford FC are in serious jeopardy of being reinstated to the First Division if their season continues along its current trajectory. Keith Long may have made way following their 0-4 defeat against Sligo Rovers on Friday Night. But it was a quick turnaround for the interim management team on Monday and following a huge collapse conceding in the 89th and 95th minute to lose in the Munster Derby against Cork City they now sit in the relegation playoff position.

Following a poor start to their season, Derry City have only 1 defeat in their last 5 league games and a total of 10 points earned which is the joint-best tally from that time frame along with Shamrock Rovers. Their latest game was a 3-0 win over potential banana skin Sligo Rovers on Tuesday Night they’re now only 3 points back of league leaders Drogheda United.

Prediction: Waterford 1-2 Derry City

Derry City have hit all the right notes in recent weeks, and I expect them to get the win.

Best Bet: Derry City 1 Goal Ahead @ 4/9

Sligo Rovers vs Cork City – Saturday 7.45 pm,  LOI TV

Odds

Sligo Rovers @ 11/10

Cork City  @ 2/1

Draw @ 12/5

Preview

It’s been a week of two halves for John Russell and Sligo Rovers, performing brilliantly last Friday Night in their 0-4 win over Waterford. They would’ve come into the Derry game with confidence but were quickly humbled 3-0 by the far better quality and resourced side. Their total of 7 points in 11 games is very concerning and has them rock bottom in the league.

Cork City opened this week's window with a decent showing against Bohemians though their 1-0 loss in the end had fans fearing of another impending relegation in the coming months. However, their comeback 2-1 win over Waterford has flipped the mood and narrative around their season and if they can get Maguire back to fitness soon as well as maintaining the core of their squad come the summer, they should have enough to stay safe this time around.

Prediction: Sligo Rovers 1-1 Cork City

Another huge game in the relegation dogfight, but I think Cork City might get something from this game following the momentum from their Munster Derby win.

Best Bet : Cork City or Draw @ 4/6

*Prices are subject to fluctuation

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