In this post, you can find our League of Ireland tips and prediction s along with our weekly acca ahead of the third 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!
Though several fixtures well victim to the Irish weather last weekend, there was still plenty of Domestic Football to stick your teeth into! Derry City were held to a 2-2 draw against newly-promoted Dundalk , and near neighbours Drogheda dispatched Waterford 2-0.
The story of the weekend came on Saturday when Bohemians were rampant 0-4 winners against Sligo Rovers following a hat-trick from Colm Whelan.
In 2026? Expect. The. Unexpected.
LOI Acca Selections
LOI Friday Night #3 Acca Selections
Dundalk vs Drogheda – Draw @ 9/4
Shamrock Rovers vs St Patrick’s Athletic – Shamrock Rovers @ 23/20
Derry City vs Bohemians – Derry City @ 11/10
Shelbourne vs Galway United – Under 2.5 Total Goals @ 4/6
Waterford vs Sligo Rovers – Sligo Rovers Double Chance @ 5/6
An accumulator with these selections pays at approximately 43/1 with BoyleSports.
Dundalk vs Drogheda
Dundalk vs Drogheda – Friday 8 pm, Virgin Media 2
Odds
Dundalk – 20/21
Drogheda – 13/5
Draw – 9/4
Preview
Dundalk finally got their 2026 Premier Division campaign underway, picking up a credible 2-2 draw at the Brandywell . Had it not been for the 98th-minute penalty from Michael Duffy, it would’ve been three points for the Oriel faithful. Next up is the Louth Derby, and though they did face off in the Trivela Cup pre-season playing out a 1-1 draw before retaining the trophy following a 1-3 penalty shootout victory, this will be the first competitive game since their 0-0 away draw in November 2024.
Drogheda’s 2-0 win over Waterford last weekend, following a goal from both Shane Farrell and Mark Doyle, was enough to ensure they retained their perfect start to the season. While not the most glamorous of sides, Kevin Doherty’s team has always this uncanny stoic knack of pulling out results no matter how they perform. The signs are good, though, with new signing Ethan O’Brien and Edwin Agbaje particularly impressing, along with the return of Mark Doyle.
Prediction: Dundalk 1-1 Drogheda
The Louth Derby i s arguably the most intense in the LOI and certainly outside of Dublin . There was little between them in pre-season, and I expect another draw could be on the cards.
Best Bet: Draw @ 9/4
Shamrock Rovers vs St Patrick’s Athletic
Shamrock Rovers vs St Patrick’s Athletic – Friday 8 pm, LOI TV
Odds
Shamrock Rovers – 6/5
St Patrick’s Athletic - 9/4
Draw – 2/1
Preview
Shamrock Rovers are yet to get their Premier Division defence underway due to Dublin pitches collectively falling victim to the Irish weather in the opening two weeks of the season. Though they did host the Presidents Cup at the end of last month. For now, though, they remain as unknown a quantity as they have arguably been in several seasons due to the considerable squad upheaval during the off-season. They retain a huge amount of quality, though, and I think the stage is set for their academy talent to shine more than ever before in 2026
It’s been a frustrating start to the season for St Patrick’s Athletic , opening it with an underwhelming performance in the Aviva , holding Bohemians to a 0-0 draw due to an excellent performance from Anang in net. They then had their home game against Galway United last week, also fell victim to the weather, so they have yet to get properly going. Expectation levels at the club have never been lower since the appointment of Stephen Kenny, and whether they can make that work in their favour remains to be seen.
Prediction: Shamrock Rovers 2-0 St Patrick’s Athletic
Though the breaks have been put on their season start in successive weeks, they should have too much quality for an uninspiring Pats outfit.
Best Bet: Shamrock Rovers @ 23/20
Derry City vs Bohemians
Derry City vs Bohemians – Friday 7:45 pm, LOI TV
Odds
Derry City – 11/10
Bohemians – 23/10
Draw – 2/1
Preview
Derry City are unbeaten in 2026. In their season warm-up, they laid down a marker with a 0-1 Presidents Cup victory over Shamrock Rovers. In the opening weeks of the season, though their performances have flattered to deceive, their 1-2 comeback victory over Sligo Rovers and their clawing back for a 2-2 draw against Dundalk give this author the impression that they’re far mentally stronger this year than they have been in previous seasons. A lot has been made of the James McClean experiment in midfield, but I think it's far too early to comment.
Bohemians put on the performance of the season so far last weekend when they annihilated Sligo Rovers at The Showgrounds courtesy of Dayle Rooney’s opener and a hat-trick from Colm Whelan . It was a statement victory for the Bohs faithful, and though they were not expected to be among those fighting for the title in 2026, if they can find consistency, there’s plenty of understated quality littered throughout the squad, but more needs to be proved yet.
Prediction: Derry City 2-1 Bohemians
Derry City continue to collect criticism but I’m unsure how much of it is warranted though they need to step it up. I expect the home side to be too strong in the end for a Bohs squad prone to flashy performances.
Best Bet: Derry City @ 11/10
Shelbourne vs Galway United
Shelbourne vs Galway United – Friday 7:45 pm, LOI TV
Odds
Shelbourne – 7/10
Galway United – 7/2
Draw – 5/2
Preview
Shelbourne were notable spenders in the off-season with the signings of Odhran Casey , Will Jarvis and Rodrigo Freitas alone racking up a cost of €235k. That’s before mentioning the retention of Harry Wood , who attracted major interest and further retained talent like Jack Henry Francis. They opened their 2026 campaign with a disappointing showing, 1-1 away to Waterford , before their Tolka tie against Shamrock Rovers last weekend also succumbed to the weather.
Galway United are a curious case; their business in the transfer market failed to capture the positive attention of the average supporter in the league, but their narrow 0-1 defeat to Drogheda on opening night shows that, at the very least, they may have retained their famous stubbornness when on home comfort. It’s still unclear how in trouble they are with their game against Pat’s , called off last weekend; this should be an even tougher task to land their first point of the season.
Prediction: Shelbourne 2-0 Galway United
Expectations are high at Shelbourne , expectations are low at Galway United ; there should only be one result in this one, but we may not see many goals.
Best Bet: Under 2.5 Total Goals @ 4/6
Waterford vs Sligo Rovers
Waterford vs Sligo Rovers – Friday 7:45 pm, LOI TV
Odds
Waterford – 20/23
Sligo Rovers – 5/2
Draw – 12/5
Preview
Waterford FC are one of a handful of sides who’ve had the “privilege” of being able to fulfil both their opening fixtures of the season. Though in the end they picked up a credible point against Shelbourne on opening night, they were then dispatched to 2-0 by a ruthless Drogheda side last weekend. The performances and signs on the whole haven’t been strong for Jon Daly's squad, with a distinct lack of balance highlighted by many. It could be unfair, though, and it may take some time for them to properly gel together, given the number of new additions.
Plenty had predicted Sligo Rovers for a positive 2026, but the departure of Owen Elding before the season started has left a talismanic hole in John Russell’s squad. On opening night, they were extremely unfortunate to come undone by Derry City late in a game where they deserved at least a point. However, there will be an inquest following their abject showing against Bohemians last weekend, and a positive result and performance will really be on the wishlist, or they will find themselves in a rut.
Prediction: Waterford 1-1 Sligo Rovers
Two sides who’ve shown concerning signs in the opening weeks, but I think the odds market is really underestimating Sligo Rovers chances of picking up at least a point.
Best Bet: Sligo Rovers Double Chance @ 5/6
*Prices are subject to fluctuation.
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