In this post, you can find our League of Ireland tips and predictions along with our weekly acca ahead of the second 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!
The 2026 League of Ireland Premier Division kicked off last Friday with dramatic late winners for Derry City (2-1 comeback vs Sligo Rovers ) and Drogheda United (1-0 at Galway United) , while Waterford drew 1-1 with Shelbourne .
It was wrapped up in the Aviva, where the much-debated fixture between Bohemians and St Patrick’s Athletic ended in a drab 0-0 draw.
In 2026? Expect. The. Unexpected.
LOI Acca Selections
LOI Friday Night #2 Acca Selections
Derry City vs Sligo Rovers – Derry City @ 6/10
Drogheda vs Waterford - Drogheda @ EVS
Sligo Rovers vs Bohemians - Bohemians '@ EVS
A treble with these selections pays at approximately 5/1 with BoyleSports.
Drogheda vs Waterford
Drogheda vs Waterford – Friday 8pm, Virgin Media 2
Odds
Drogheda – EVS
Waterford – 5/2
Draw – 9/4
Preview
Drogheda got their season underway last weekend, and though the performance was not to the standard they would’ve liked, they got the all-important victory, and there is a sense of “by any means necessary”, especially when travelling to Eamonn Deacy Park in poor conditions. This task will be a different assignment, though Waterford are also expected to be toward the bottom of the table. Kevin Doherty will be looking for a more polished performance for the home support, especially going forward.
Waterford picked up what will be seen as a solid 1-1 draw when pegging back Shelbourne on the opening weekend. It was a particularly positive showing when noting the considerable change Jon Daly’s squad had during the off-season and the fact that they were coming up against a relatively settled Shelbourne side. There’s plenty of quality in amongst the team, but like Drogheda in previous seasons there first task will be to distance themselves from a relegation fight.
Prediction: Drogheda 1-0 Waterford
This could go any number of ways, but I suspect home advantage may just swing it in Drogheda's favour.
Best Bet: Drogheda @ EVS
Derry City vs Dundalk
Derry City vs Dundalk– Friday 7:45pm, LOI TV
Odds
Derry City – 6/10
Dundalk– 4/1
Draw – 11/4
Preview
Derry City may not have been at their best last weekend, but with their 1-2 turnaround win against Sligo Rovers , as well as their win in the Presidents’ Cup the previous weekend. There is a sense that there may be more grit and resilience about the club when compared to previous seasons. However, if they’re to cement a genuine league title challenge in 2026, that will only go so far, and the positive performance will need to come too.
The 2025 First Division winners, Dundalk , were the other side which fell to the cancelled fixture last weekend, but Ciaran Kilduff’s side will finally get their opportunity to show they belong at this level on Friday Night. Though there’s been a handful of signings in the off-season, I believe the players the club retained could have a far bigger impact on their 2026 campaign with homegrown talent Leonard, Kenny and Animasahun among the names to watch out for.
Prediction: Derry City 2-0 Dundalk
Tiernan Lynch will be demanding a step-up in performance this week, and I think their superior match fitness will give them the win.
Best Bet: Derry City @ 6/10
Sligo Rovers vs Bohemians
Sligo Rovers vs Bohemians – Saturday 7:45 pm, LOI TV
Odds
Sligo Rovers – 12/5
Bohemians – EVS
Draw – 23/10
Preview
Despite Hakiki (who looks primed for a big season in 2026) opening the scoring against Derry City last weekend, the Bit O’Red support will be disappointed to have fallen to a late 2-1 defeat following a stunner from Bannon and a late Thomas winner. Though there’s a lot of room for improvement from Sligo Rovers , the performances of Sargeant , Esua and Patton will give grounds for optimism. The most important thing for John Russell’s side to have a positive 2026 is finding that focal point in attack, and they may just have that in Mai Traore when his visa issue are resolved, and he’s available for selection.
Bohemians failed to make it two successive opening season victories at the Aviva Stadium when drawing with St Patrick’s Athletic . However, though the game was a general drab affair, they certainly created the better of the chances and had it not been for Anang in the opposing net, they’d likely have scraped through to a victory. The Bohs faithful will take particular solace in the performances of new signings Mullan, Todd and Hickey , and though Vaughan petered out of the game, he still showed flashes that he’ll be another positive addition.
Prediction: Sligo Rovers 1-2-Bohemians
Two sides who would've been disappointed with their opening weekend results, but I fancy Bohs to do the business this weekend due to their superior strength-in-depth.
Best Bet: Bohemians @ EVS
*Prices are subject to fluctuation.
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