LOI Premier Division Odds, Best Bet & Weekly Acca – Friday Night #9

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 #9 Acca Selections

Drogheda vs Shelbourne –  Drogheda United or Draw @ 4/9

St Patrick’s Athletic vs Shamrock Rovers –  St Patrick’s Athletic ‘ 5/4

Bohemians vs Cork City – Under 2.5 Total Goals @ 3/4

Galway United vs Derry City – Galway United or Draw @ 4/9

Waterford vs Sligo Rovers -  Sligo Rovers @ 21/10

An accumulator with these selections pays at approximately 24/1 with BoyleSports.

Drogheda vs Shelbourne –  Friday 7.45 pm,  Virgin Media 2

Odds

Drogheda @  9/5

Shelbourne @ 8/5

Draw @ 19/10

Preview

Drogheda United under Kevin Doherty are showing no signs of letting up as they continue to ride the wave of their return to full-time football this season. But this squad isn’t just doing it one way with their 13-goal tally only bettered by St Patrick’s Athletic’s 14 and their 5 conceded gives them them statistically the most watertight in the Premier Division.  With Star Performer Douglas James Taylor set to return this “flash in the pan” may have some legs left yet.

Shelbourne may not have started their Premier Division title defence as fast as they did their they did their title victory last season currently on 16 points compared to 21 at the same stage in 2024. However, they retain this rugged resilience and art of grinding out results when not at their best. Odubeko got off the mark for their winner against Bohemians last weekend and him announcing himself onto the LOI stage is a boost which can’t be dismissed.

Prediction Drogheda 1-1 Shelbourne

There’s very rarely much between both sides when they play with players and management acutely familiar with one another and I think Drogheda to avoid defeat given their form is a solid bet.

Best Bet: Drogheda United or Draw @ 4/9

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

Odds

St Patrick’s Athletic @ 5/4

Shamrock Rovers @ 23/10

Draw @ 19/10

Preview

Pats’ have arguably the most rounded squad in the Premier Division with seemingly the perfect blend of “Youth and Experience” from back to front and across the park compounded by the fact they have a serial Premier Division winner in Stephen Kenny was always going to mean they’d be serious contenders this season. That’s duly transpired even with Keena now injured, some players not quite clicking yet and plenty of pressure on them you get the impression there’s even more to come.

Shamrock Rovers traditionally start the Premier Division season slowly in the last couple of years and the same followed this time around following a post-Europe slump after their unprecedented run. Their 4-1 battering of Cork City midweek shows the slump has been far shorter this time around and though they lack a senior striker their unwavering commitment to Academy Footballers is refreshing and they’re reaping the rewards now.

Prediction: St Patrick’s Athletic 2-1 Shamrock Rovers

Both sides coming off convincing victories against Cork City but I still think Pats’ are the more rounded squad at the moment.

Best Bet: St Patrick’s Athletic @ 5/4

Bohemians vs Cork City – Friday 7.45 pm,  LOI TV

Odds

Bohemians @ 4/9

Cork City  @ 11/2

Draw @ 3/1

Preview

Alan Reynolds is under pressure in the Bohemian's hotseat following only 9 points from their opening 9 Premier Division fixtures there is a sense of déjà vu that this season could end up being a carbon copy of the midtable mediocrity which they’ve found themselves for close to half a decade. There remains quality in their squad though with players like Tierney, Whelan, and Rooney among others if they can click it’s still early days and a European Place could be within their grasp in 2025.

The shortest of “honeymoon” periods on their return to the Premier Division is over for Cork City and now their survival aspirations have already been called into question. Due to an injury-compounded squad which includes the duo of both Maguire and Keating (where it could be argued that they overproportioned their budget). The 4-1 hammering by Shamrock Rovers on Monday Night and their general tame showing needs to prompt a reaction from the squad or relegation will be a certainty.

Prediction: Bohemians 1-0 Cork City

Two sides under immense pressure but I think Bohs should have enough to edge this game though I’m not expecting many goals.

Best Bet : Under 2.5 Total Goals @ 3/4

Galway United vs Derry City –  Friday 7.45 pm, LOI TV

Odds

Galway United @ 7/4

Derry City @ 8/5

Draw @ 19/10

Preview

Galway United continued their positive start to the 2025 Premier Division season last weekend when on Saturday they outclassed Sligo Rovers in a 1-2 victory.  That win was their first in the Showgrounds in 29 years and took them to 4th in the league only 2 points behind current league leaders Drogheda United. They may not be pretty, but their physical and simple brand of football is incredibly effective.

Derry City have plenty of quality in their squad from Doherty and Boyce in the full-back positions, O’Reilly in the middle of the park and the likes of Duffy, Hoban and additions like  Winchester, Whyte and Holt coming in the off-season. It would have been remiss to think they’d be fighting at the top this season but alas that hasn’t transpired (yet anyway) 11 points from their opening means they already trail Shelbourne directly above them in 5th by 5 points.

Prediction: Galway United 1-0 Derry City

This game is almost an example of Moneyball vs “Anti Moneyball” and I think Galway United are well placed to continue their positive start to the season.

Best Bet : Galway United or Draw @ 4/9

Waterford vs Sligo Rovers– Friday 7.45 pm, LOI TV

Odds                                                                                         

Waterford @ 21/20

Sligo Rovers @ 21/10

Draw @ 12/5

Preview

Waterford did exceptional last season as a newly promoted side to quickly take them away from any relegation battle following their bright start to the 2024 season. However, 2025 looks to be one where they will struggle far more with their latest loss 2-0 against Shamrock Rovers landing their fifth successive defeat. The key issue for them is the lack of goals (8) which is only equalled by Derry City despite having attacking talents Amond, Lonergan and Noonan on their books among others.

Sligo Rovers are in trouble, their 1-2 loss against Galway United may have been thin in terms of margin when it comes to effort, quality and the overall general game the scoreline certainly flattered the home side. However, there remain some bright sparks and the performances of Manning, Elding and Fitzgerald shows there are glimmers of light among the darkness for the Bit O’Red.

Prediction: Waterford 1-2 Sligo Rovers

This is a huge early season game in the context of the relegation race and though both have little going for them with regards to form I think Rovers’ have that bit more about them to score.

Best Bet: Sligo Rovers @ 21/10

*Prices are subject to fluctuation

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