LOI Premier Division Odds, Tips & Weekly Acca – Friday Night #12

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 #12 Acca Selections

Shamrock Rovers vs Drogheda United -  Drogheda United or Draw – 7/5

Cork City vs Derry City – Under 2.5 Goals – 8/13

Shelbourne vs St Patrick’s Athletic – Odubeko anytime goal – 7/4

Waterford vs Galway United – Waterford +1 – 4//6

Sligo Rovers vs Bohemians – Bohemians - EVS

An accumulator with these selections pays at approximately 34/1 with BoyleSports.

Shamrock Rovers vs Drogheda United – Friday 7.45 pm,  Virgin Media 2

Odds

Shamrock Rovers - 1/2

Drogheda United  - 5/1

Draw - 14/5

Preview

Shamrock Rovers have quietly climbed the Premier Division table and following their 2-0 win over Sligo Rovers on Monday Night, they now find themselves in 2nd place, only 1 point behind Drogheda United, having not reached the standards expected of them yet in 2025. However, their strength-in-depth supplemented by an excellent Academy can’t be underestimated, especially with further recruits expected to come in the summer Transfer Window.

With 14/36 matchdays played, Drogheda United remain top of the pile in the Premier Division following an exceptional start to their season, which has only seen them lose twice. There is a grit and resiliency about this squad of players, and their 3-2 comeback victory ensured a Bank Holiday Monday 3 points. At some point, people will have to take their Top-4 credentials seriously.

Prediction: Shamrock Rovers 1-1 Drogheda United

Shamrock Rovers have plenty of talent, but I think Drogheda are the most underestimated side on the island at the moment and are a value bet at 7/5 to get something from the game.

Best Bet : Drogheda United or Draw – 7/5

Cork City vs Derry City –  Friday 7.45 pm,  LOI TV

Odds

Cork City - 16/5

Derry City -  4/5

Draw - 23/10

Preview

Cork City remain in serious trouble this season, with their survival hopes hinging on getting some of their returning stars back to fitness to bolster their wafer-thin squad. Though their recent draw against Rovers was a decent performance and their defeat to Drogheda was unlucky in a sense, their young squad has a severe inability to close out games and earn points could cost them come the end of the season.

Derry City invested heavily in their playing squad during the off-season and though their start was “questionable” Tiernan Lynch now seems to be getting a tune out of his relatively expensive squad with 4 wins in their last 5 games to put them 3rd and well in the title conversation at this early point in the season.

Prediction Cork City 0-2 Derry City

A threadbare, less financed squad meets a relatively well-balanced and financially supported squad should only yield one result.

Best Bet: Under 2.5 Goals – 8/13

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

Odds

Shelbourne - 6/4

St Patrick’s Athletic - 6/4

Draw - 23/10

Preview

It’s safe to say that 2024 reigning Premier Division Champions Shelbourne, have had a less-than-desired start to their season, with only 19 points from their opening 14 games. At the same point last season, they had 26 points. However, the underlying metrics behind their performances suggest that they’re performing far better than their place on the table would have you think, if only they could convert their chances they create.

Pats have failed to hit the heights that were expected of them so far this season, failing to find the consistency required of them if they’re to win their last Premier Division title, which was a decade ago in 2013. Their defence has been solid. If they can find some more goals, then they should be thereabouts in the title race, and the return of Aidan Keena might be just what they need to achieve it.

Prediction: Shelbourne 1-0 St Patrick’s Athletic

A win for either side would be a huge scalp, and I favour the home side to do it with Odubeko being the difference-maker.

Best Bet: Odubeko anytime goal – 7/4

Waterford vs Galway United– Friday 7.45 pm,  LOI TV

Odds                                                                                         

Waterford - 11/5

Galway United - 21/20

Draw - 23/10

Preview

Back-to-back-to-back victories for Waterford FC has changed the entire context around their season, and now they’ve seemingly separated themselves from the relegation battle (at least for now), being 6 clear of Cork City and 9 ahead of Sligo Rovers. Friday Night will be the first time new manager John Coleman takes charge of an LOI side since Sligo Rovers in 2014.

Though Galway United were excellent last season on their return to the top tier, the lack of goals let them down, with their tally of 33 the worst of all sides not relegated (Dundalk scored 23). However, in Moses Dyer, manager John Caulfield has found his answer to a 2016 Sean Maguire and his 8 in 13 games means there is now a new chink to the Galway United armour. However, in recent weeks, they’ve fallen off with only 4 points in their last 5 games.

Prediction: Waterford 1-1 Galway United

Waterford have been excellent of late, and I think with a little help, they could have the edge for this game.

Best Bet: Waterford +1 – 4/6

Sligo Rovers vs Bohemians –  Saturday 7.45 pm, LOI TV

Odds

Sligo Rovers - 21/10

Bohemians - EVS

Draw - 12/5

Preview

Sligo Rovers are rock bottom of the Premier Division with 9 points from their opening 14 games of the season and currently trail Cork City immediately above them by 3 points. This is a young Sligo Rovers side which has plenty of learning to do and fast if they’re to stay in the division. However, the performances of those young stars like Owen Elding mean they still have every chance of getting off the bottom of the table.

Bohemians have been the story of the 2025 Premier Division season, and whether Alan Reynolds is the man to bring the club back to being a competitive force. Early days, there were calls for a change in management, but now, following 4 league wins in their last 5 games has they are in 5th and only 3 points off league leaders Drogheda. Their drawless streak continues, too, with 7 wins and 7 defeats from 14 games.

Prediction: Sligo Rovers 0-2 Bohemians

Sligo Rovers are far from finished, but I think Bohemians will be too strong for them on Saturday.

Best Bet : Bohemians - EVS

*Prices are subject to fluctuation

Remember, always gamble responsibly. Here’s our Safer Gambling Guide .