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 #18 Acca Selections
Cork City vs St Patrick’s Athletic – St Patrick’s Athletic – 10/11
Galway United vs Shelbourne – Shelbourne or Draw – 4/9
Derry City vs Drogheda – Drogheda +1 – EVS
Bohemians vs Sligo Rovers - Over 2.5 Goals – 6/10
Shamrock Rovers vs Waterford - Noonan anytime goal – 6/4
An accumulator with these selections pays at approximately 21/1 with BoyleSports.
Cork City vs St Patrick’s Athletic– Friday 7:45 pm, Virgin Media 2
Odds
Cork City – 5/2
St Patrick’s Athletic – 10/11
Draw – 12/5
Preview
Cork City find themselves in a huge amount of trouble, though they earned a 1-1 draw at Turners Cross, their consistent inability to keep clean sheets now has them rooted to the bottom of the table, 4 points back of Sligo Rovers. Defensive reinforcements are coming next month, with Fiacre Kelleher and Rory Feeley agreed, the issue lies that they will need to hit the ground running if the club have any chance of avoiding the automatic drop.
Could Stephen Kenny be the next high-profile manager to leave the LOI? Pats' flaky form this season has meant the pressure continues to pile on the former Ireland Manager. However, the sentiment seems to be one of sympathy for Kenny and criticism of the players, with the transfer window set to open, Pats could be the club to follow most closely in the Premier Division.
Prediction: Cork City 1-2 St Patrick’s Athletic
Cork City's inability to keep clean sheets gives every other side an edge, and I think the away side should have far too much going forward.
Best Bet: St Patrick’s Athletic – 10/11
St Patrick's Athletic - 10/11
*Odds are accurate at time of publishing but subject to change
Galway United vs Shelbourne– Friday 7.45 pm, LOI TV
Odds
Galway United - 8/5
Shelbourne – 17/10
Draw – 2/1
Preview
Galway United can’t find consistency in the 2025 season, and Sligo Rovers proved to be their Achilles heel in their Connacht Derby last weekend when they lost by a single goal to their bitter rivals for the second successive time. Though they do have games in hand over the sides above them, a run of victories is badly required, or they could find themselves stuck in an irrelevant league purgatory in the remainder of the season..
Duff. Is. Gone. The charismatic enigma shockingly departed the LOI stage on Sunday, with him walking away from the club he managed since November 2021, with the highlight coming with their Premier Division victory last season. It’s fair to say he was a polarising figure with his antics and rants, but few could argue that he brought new eyes to Irish Football. It’ll now be interesting to see how Shelbourne approaches appointing his replacement.
Prediction: Galway United 1-1 Shelbourne
Galway will be forever tough to beat, but interim Shelbourne manager Joey O’Brien is highly rated for his work, and I think Shelbourne can get something from this game.
Best Bet: Shelbourne or Draw – 4/9
Shelbourne or Draw - 4/9
*Odds are accurate at time of publishing but subject to change
Derry City vs Drogheda – Friday 7.45 pm, LOI TV
Odds
Derry City – 3/4
Drogheda – 15/4
Draw – 23/10
Preview
Derry City may finally be finding form at a crucial point in the season, following back-to-back 0-1 wins over both Shelbourne and St Patrick’s Athletic, capitalising on the back of their opponents' inconsistent seasons. While outside the conversation for the title race (as of now), they have the opportunity to solidify a place in Europe for next season with Shelbourne, St Patrick’s Athletic and to a lesser extent Shamrock Rovers' European commitment.
Drogheda are resilient, though their expulsion from Europe will be a huge financial blow to the club; they have this uncanny ability to follow up poor results or outcomes with big performances and wins. With Europe now not on the cards, the added load to their schedule is no more. If they can avoid losing Kevin Doherty to managerless Shelbourne, then they will have a strong end to their domestic season.
Prediction: Derry City 1-1 Drogheda
Derry City have had two big wins recently, but I think Drogheda, as of now, are a harder game for them and I think the away side are value to get a result.
Best Bet: Drogheda +1 - EVS
Drogheda +1 - EVS
*Odds are accurate at time of publishing but subject to change
Bohemians vs Sligo Rovers – Saturday 7.45 pm, LOI TV
Odds
Bohemians – 2/5
Sligo Rovers – 11/2
Draw – 7/2
Preview
Bohemians' 2-0 win over Shamrock Rovers on Monday Night means they’re well and truly in a title race, provided they can win their two games in hand while Rovers are in Europe. This is even more remarkable when you consider that with 21/36 of their league games played, they’ve yet to draw a game following a record of 12 wins and 9 defeats. It’ll be fascinating to see if they can maintain momentum in the coming weeks.
Sligo Rovers have a knack for picking up points, and their 0-1 Connacht Derby victory over Galway United now means they’re 4 clear of immediate automatic relegation rivals Cork City, who are bottom. Though they need to pick up more results, if they do, it’s not beyond the realms of possibility that they drag Waterford and Galway United into a battle to avoid a relegation playoff.
Prediction: Bohemians 2-1 Sligo Rovers
Bohemians should be bouncing following their Monday Night win, and I expect them to do the business again on Friday Night.
Best Bet: Over 2.5 Goals – 6/10
Over 2.5 Goals - 6/10
*Odds are accurate at time of publishing but subject to change
Shamrock Rovers vs Waterford – Friday 8 pm, LOI TV
Odds
Shamrock Rovers – 4/11
Waterford – 3/1
Draw – 11/4
Preview
If you believed the narratives being perpetuated by the general media and fandom, the League of Ireland Premier Division is already sewn up for Stephen Bradley’s Shamrock Rovers. However, talks of that for now I believe to grossly exaggerated and following their 2-0 defeat to Bohemians on Monday Night, the title race is far from over just yet. The depth of talent in their squad remains the envy of the league, and it’s why they’re title favourites.
Waterford have earned 6 points from their last 5 league games, which has them currently clear of the relegation places, and if they can put together a few more positive results, it's not beyond the realms of possibility that they climb the table in the coming weeks. The remarkable thing is that their goal difference of -10 is far from impressive, only 1 better than Sligo Rovers and 5 better than Cork City.
Prediction: Shamrock Rovers 2-0 Waterford
Waterford shouldn’t be ruled out of a result, but the loss of loanee Noonan will be massive, and I can’t see them being able to replace him for this fixture.
Best Bet: Noonan anytime goal – 6/4
Noonan anytime goal - 6/4
*Odds are accurate at time of publishing but subject to change
*Prices are subject to fluctuation
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