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 year again! “The Greatest League in the World ” is back to light up your weekends!
Shamrock Rovers are the reigning Champions and have won five of the last six titles, but are expected to be challenged strongly by both Derry City and Shelbourne this year. Bohemians and St. Patrick’s Athletic will be expecting to secure European Football with Drogheda wanting to challenge too. Toward the bottom of the table, newly promoted Dundalk will be looking to stay up and finish ahead of the likes of Galway United, Waterford and Sligo Rovers.
In 2026? Expect. The. Unexpected.
LOI Acca Selections
LOI Friday Night #1 Acca Selections
Derry City vs Sligo Rovers – Derry City @ 4/9
Waterford vs Shelbourne – Under 2.5 Goals @ 3/4
Galway United vs Drogheda - Drogheda @ 12/5
Bohemians vs St Patrick’s Athletic – Draw @ 2/1
An accumulator with these selections pays at approximately 24/1 with BoyleSports.
Derry City vs Sligo Rovers
Derry City vs Sligo Rovers – Friday 8 pm, Virgin Media 2
Odds
Derry City – 4/9
Sligo Rovers – 5/1
Draw – 3/1
Preview
Derry City have been experiencing a Premier Division title drought since their 1996-97 triumph, finishing as bridesmaids in 2005 and 2006. 2022, 2023 and 2025. However, there’s a strong sense that 2026 may finally be the year for Tiernan Lynch’s side. While their recruitment in previous seasons would’ve been described as short-term thinking, too many punts and not well-rounded enough. This season, I think they’ve finally found that balance with the headline return of James McClean complimented by the likes of Darragh Markey , Patrick McClean, James Clarke, et al.
Sligo Rovers continues to defy yearly expectations when it comes to securing their Premier Division status and then some with one of the smallest budgets in the league. For that, John Russell deserves immense credit as arguably the most underrated managers on the island, doing it the right way with his enthrust in young players and attacking style. Though 2026 will present another challenge for the club, and that’ll be replacing Owen Elding , but getting Ryan O’Kane back to the club on a permanent deal could be exactly the man to alleviate that pressure.
Prediction: Derry City 2-1 Sligo Rovers
Games between the two are usually tight, and I’m expecting more of the same, but Derry City should have too much quality in the end.
Best Bet: Derry City @ 4/9
Waterford vs Shelbourne
Waterford vs Shelbourne – Friday 7.45 pm, LOI TV
Odds
Waterford – 12/5
Shelbourne – 20/21
Draw – 23/10
Preview
Waterford may have finished second from bottom in the Premier Division last season whilest also only winning their relegation playoff against Bray Wanderers 1-2 in the end. But it’s been a winter break of change for the club, and the whole it looks to be positive moves. Jon Daly has assumed the hot-seat and he’s certainly an experienced coach for his age at 43. He’s been backed too with the record signing of Conan Noonan from Shamrock Rovers , a new contract for Padraig Amond and several quality additions, including Evan McLaughlin from Cork City.
Expectations will be high for Shelbourne , who have been nothing short of exceptional since Joey O’Brien replaced Damien Duff last June. Their squad has been bolstered considerably in the off-season, notably turning down relatively good money for Harry Wood and bringing Will Jarvis back to the club earlier this week. The squad is now arguably stronger than it was when they won the 2024 Premier Division , and with that comes increased expectations across the board.
Prediction: Waterford 1-1 Shelbourne
Both are expected to be battling at opposite ends of the table, but I think Waterford can get something from this game.
Best Bet: Under 2.5 Goals @ 3/4
Galway United vs Drogheda
Galway United vs Drogheda – Friday 7:45 pm, LOI TV
Odds
Galway United – 11/10
Drogheda – 2/1
Draw – 12/5
Preview
Galway United have been one of the toughest tests in Irish Football ever since the appointment of John Caulfield in 2020. He’s taken them from the depths of the First Division into a Premier Division outfit. The 2025 season wasn’t easy for the club, both on and off-the-field but they avoided the dreaded relegation playoff by goal difference. The off-season has been strange, and there’s no guarantee that key departures of Jeannot Essua, Patrick Hickey and Rob Slevin et al. have been adequately replaced, and so another tough season could be on the cards for the club.
Year after year, people predict Drogheda to be in amongst the cannon fodder toward the bottom of the table, and the club continues to make a mockery of those forecasts. However, there’s a fine line between success and failure in the League of Ireland, and Kevin Doherty will have to continue to work his magic if the positive times are to keep coming. Edwin Agbaje is a great addition at RB, though, and the return of Mark Doyle should really bolster their attacking options.
Prediction: Galway United 0-1 Drogheda
Even amidst the negative talk about Galway United , they will remain tough to beat, and I only expect a narrow away win.
Best Bet: Drogheda @ 12/5
Bohemians vs St Patrick's Athletic
Bohemians vs St Patrick’s Athletic – Friday 7:45 pm, LOI TV
Odds
Bohemians – 13/10
St Patrick’s Athletic – 19/10
Draw – 2/1
Preview
Bohemians are a club which probably divides more opinion than anyone else, and that’s despite their lack of success in recent years! But jokes aside, they run a very good ship and having their first home game at the Aviva is another example of such. The bridge between commercial success and success on the pitch will need to be addressed sooner rather than later, though, but the additions of Patrick Hickey, Harry Vaughan and Sadou Diallo should certainly strengthen them.
St Patrick’s Athletic are really in limbo, though Stephen Kenny returned to the League of Ireland to great acclaim in May 2024. Aside from their tremendous end to the season, the club have failed to live up to expectations. “King” Kenn y is undeniably a legend of the Irish Football domestic scene, but there’s only so long his reputation can be given as a rebuttal for him to stay. I think they’ll score plenty in 2026, though, given Aidan Keena and Max Mata will be leading the line.
Prediction: Bohemians 1-1 St Patrick’s Athletic
A contentious debate about whether it should be in the Aviva, the reality is it will be, and I expect an entertaining draw in another showcase event for Irish Football.
Best Bet: Draw @ 2/1
*Prices are subject to fluctuation.
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