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 #14 Acca Selections
St Patrick’s Athletic vs Waterford – Waterford or Draw – 6/4
Derry City vs Shamrock Rovers – Draw – 19/10
Drogheda United vs Bohemians – Drogheda or Draw – 4/7
Shelbourne vs Sligo Rovers - Under 2.5 Goals – 4/5
Galway United vs Cork City – Cork City 1 Goal Ahead – 15/8
An accumulator with these selections pays at approximately 58/1 with BoyleSports.
St Patrick’s Athletic vs Waterford – Friday 7.45 pm, Virgin Media 2
Odds
St Patrick’s Athletic – 1/2
Waterford - 5/1
Draw – 3/1
Preview
The Saints have failed to get going this season, rarely impressing even in victory, and their 4-0 hammering by Shamrock Rovers on Monday Night has resulted in an outcry from some supporters that their players are not fit to wear the badge. Despite that criticism, they remain 2 points behind second-placed Derry City, and so if they can get a few of their players back from injury, they should climb the table.
Waterford’s winning streak came to an end last Friday Night when Shamrock Rovers came from behind to secure a 1-3 win. They put in a decent showing, though dominating possession, but only managing to get 1 of their 9 shots on target. They may have the joint-worst goal difference in the league, but they still stand every chance of beating any side on their day.
Prediction: St Patrick’s Athletic 1-1 Waterford
Pats are struggling at the moment, and I certainly wouldn’t rule out Waterford getting something from this game.
Best Bet: Waterford or Draw – 6/4
Waterford or Draw – 6/4
*Odds are accurate at time of publishing but subject to change
Derry City vs Shamrock Rovers – Friday 7.45 pm, LOI TV
Odds
Derry City – 8/5
Shamrock Rovers - 9/5
Draw – 19/10
Preview
Derry City were essentially torn apart by the media, pundits and rival supporters for their failure to qualify for Europe last season. Hindsight is a wonderful thing, though, and that mishap could be a blessing in disguise when it comes to strengthening their Premier Division prospects for the 2025 season.
Shamrock Rovers are the form team in the Premier Division following a total of 13 points from their last 5 league games. Due to Europe being imminent, they played an extra game on Monday Night and battered St Patrick’s Athletic to go 5 clear of their closest challengers, Derry City, though they have played an extra game over most sides in the Division.
Prediction: Derry City 2-2 Shamrock Rovers
This will be a huge litmus test for Derry City to see if they can come closer to a title this season, and I think they may get a point out of this game.
Best Bet : Draw – 19/10
Draw - 19/10
*Odds are accurate at time of publishing but subject to change
Drogheda vs Bohemians– Friday 7.45 pm, LOI TV
Odds
Drogheda - 2/1
Bohemians - 5/4
Draw – 21/10
Preview
Drogheda may have fallen back a little following their lightning start to the season, but they can still be more than happy with where they lie on the table. Their 0-0 draw against Shelbourne at Tolka Park on Monday Night means they’re now 4th in the league and only 1 behind second-placed Derry City with close to 50% of the league games played.
Bohemians are yet to draw a Premier Division game, and three consecutive league victories have them in third place, joint on points with Derry City. There has been an air of good fortune about some of their comeback victories, and their goal difference of +2 is the worst of the top five in the league.
Prediction: Drogheda 2-1 Bohemians
Drogheda are unbeaten in their last three against Bohs, and I think home advantage could swing the game in their favour again.
Best Bet: Drogheda or Draw – 4/7
Drogheda or Draw – 4/7
Shelbourne vs Sligo Rovers – Friday 7.45 pm, LOI TV
Odds
Shelbourne – 1/2
Sligo Rovers – 5/1
Draw – 14/5
Preview
Shelbourne’s “struggles” this season have in large part been due to their inability to put the ball in the back of the net, with their tally of 18 goals only better than Waterford’s tally of 16 goals, with Shelbourne having played an extra game. They’ve 2 goals in their last 5 league games and have only scored twice, and yet 3 points on Friday Night could put them 1 back of third place.
Sligo Rovers remain rock bottom of the Premier Division, but following their 0-1 win in the Connacht Derby last weekend means they’re now level on points with Cork City, directly above them, but on 12 points. Their inability to stop conceding goals will need to be curbed further, though, and their 30 conceded is the worst in the division.
Prediction: Shelbourne 2-0 Sligo Rovers
Shelbourne are failing to score goals and Sligo Rovers are failing to stop them, so it’ll be interesting to see if we get a goal fest on Friday Night.
Best Bet: Under 2.5 Goals – 4/5
Under 2.5 Goals – 4/5
*Odds are accurate at time of publishing but subject to change
Galway United vs Cork City – Friday 7.45 pm, LOI TV
Odds
Galway United – 11/20
Cork City - 9/2
Draw – 21/10
Preview
In the space of a few weeks, Galway United have gone from high-flying and on course for another promising season to having had a torrid few weeks. Their latest defeat to Sligo Rovers made it 4 consecutive league losses, and they’ve now fallen to eighth. While the form of Moses Dyer has them clear of relegation worry (for now), they need to curb the tide in this game or the gap could close further been themselves, Cork City and Sligo Rovers.
It was an all too familiar result for Cork City last weekend when they fell to a dramatic 3-2 defeat to St Patrick’s Athletic. Despite being ahead, they dropped another lead, which meant they’ve now dropped a staggering 17 points from winning positions this season. Gerard Nash has a big job on his hands, but he could get the fans onside if he can mastermind a win on Friday.
Prediction: Galway United 0-1 Cork City
Galway have been unimpressive lately, and I fancy Cork City to take the lead; whether they can keep it this time is a whole other question.
Best Bet : Cork City 1 Goal Ahead – 11/8
Cork City 1 Goal Ahead – 15/8
*Odds are accurate at time of publishing but subject to change
*Prices are subject to fluctuation
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