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 #19 Acca Selections
St Patrick’s Athletic vs Bohemians - St Patrick’s Athletic – 11/8
Shelbourne vs Cork City - Under 2.5 Total Goals – 8/11
Drogheda vs Galway United – Draw – 9/4
Derry City vs Waterford – Over 2.5 Total Goals – 5/6
Sligo Rovers vs Shamrock Rovers - Shamrock Rovers win + Under 3.5 Total Goals – 11/10
An accumulator with these selections pays at approximately 50/1 with BoyleSports.
St Patrick’s Athletic vs Bohemians– Friday 7:45 pm, Virgin Media 2
Odds
St Patrick’s Athletic – 11/8
Bohemians – 9/5
Draw – 21/10
Preview
Pats were held to a 0-0 draw at Turner's Cross last Friday Night, which was a continuation of what has been a poor season for the club and an even poorer spell with their two-point tally from their last five games the lowest of all sides in the league. With Europe on the horizon next week, Stephen Kenny’s side are badly in need of a confidence-boosting win in this Dublin Derby.
Bohemians' drawless streak ended last weekend following their dramatic 95th-minute equaliser courtesy of James Clarke, who has been heavily rumoured with a move to the UK in the last few weeks. It’ll be interesting to see if they can take full advantage of not having to balance European Football and the one thing stopping them was an out-and-out goalscorer, but the signing of former Drogheda loanee Douglas James Taylor last week could be exactly what they need.
Prediction: St Patrick’s Athletic 1-2 Bohemians
Ahead of Europe, Pats need a win far more, and I think home advantage may swing it in their favour.
Best Bet: St Patrick’s Athletic – 11/8
*Odds are accurate at time of publishing but subject to change
Shelbourne vs Cork City– Friday 7.45 pm, LOI TV
Odds
Shelbourne – 4/7
Cork City – 9/2
Draw – 11/4
Preview
Following the departure of the charismatic enigma Damien Duff, it was always going to see what way their game in the post-Duff era would go. Though they took the lead through Odubeko in the 25th minute and created several chances, they were unable to kill the game, and a late goal from Bobby Burns meant that the points were shared at Eamon Deasy Park. It’s all about Europe for Joey O’Brien and his squad, though with Linfield next week, it’ll be interesting to see how he approaches his tactics and selection before Europe.
Cork City’s performances have improved in recent weeks, but back-to-back draws like they’ve gone in their last two games won’t be enough to drag them out of this relegation scrap, especially with Sligo Rovers immediately above them in some solid form. However, Shelbourne will be a game they fancy, and with new signings Kelleher, Feeley and Lutz now available for selection, there is a requirement for them to hit the ground running immediately.
Prediction: Shelbourne 1-1 Cork City
Shelbourne are creating chances, just not putting them away, which I think may give Cork City an outside chance of another draw.
Best Bet: Under 2.5 Total Goals – 8/11
*Odds are accurate at time of publishing but subject to change
Drogheda vs Galway United – Friday 7.45 pm, LOI TV
Odds
Drogheda – 8/5
Galway United – 8/5
Draw – 9/4
Preview
Since their expulsion from Europe was confirmed, it's been a mixed bag of results for Drogheda with two defeats, one draw and one win. Last Friday Night, they were outclassed at The Brandywell by a far more experienced and resourced Derry City side. Kevin Doherty’s squad regularly bounce back after poor results/performances, though, and this game will be there for the taking, especially at home.
This is a crucial period for Galway United, six points from their last five games has them languishing in 7th, but if they can pick up some momentum while not having the “burden” of Europe like those around them, they could still climb the table and into the European Spots. The main issue for them will be replacing the top scorer in the league, Moses Dyer, who has left the league for Cambodia.
Prediction: Drogheda 1-1 Galway United
Drogheda have this bounce-back ability, and I don’t think Galway United have enough to score too many goals, so I could see this being a draw.
Best Bet: Draw – 9/4
*Odds are accurate at time of publishing but subject to change
Derry City vs Waterford – Saturday 7.45 pm, LOI TV
Odds
Derry City – 1/2
Waterford – 5/1
Draw – 14/5
Preview
Tiernan Lynch is starting to get a proper tune out of his ageless wonders with three consecutive wins in the Premier Division to take them up to second on the table. In the off-season, they continued to prioritise experience, and that paid dividends in their recent dominant win over Drogheda last weekend. Further signings look to be on the way as well as outgoings, so this could be an interesting month for the club.
Shamrock Rovers away last weekend was always going to be tough, so though they lost 1-0, it wasn’t the worst of scorelines given the fact they didn’t do further damage to their poor goal difference. Five points from their last five games have put them in 8th place. They will need to continue to pick up points with Sligo Rovers, now only eight points behind them and playing well.
Prediction: Derry City 2-1 Waterford
Derry City seem to have more still about them in 2025, but Waterford are capable of a result against anyone on their day. I’m expecting a few goals.
Best Bet: Over 2.5 Total Goals – 5/6
*Odds are accurate at time of publishing but subject to change
Sligo Rovers vs Shamrock Rovers – Friday 7:45 pm, LOI TV
Odds
Sligo Rovers – 6/1
Shamrock Rovers – 2/5
Draw – 16/5
Preview
Sligo Rovers are in good form with their seven-point total from their last five games only bettered by the top three sides on the table, Shamrock Rovers, twelve, Derry City’s ten and Bohemians with ten also. However, they’ll need to continue to do so if they want to get out of relegation trouble, though they seem to be recruiting well for the battle with Seb Quirk and Patrick McClean in, as well as Ryan O’Kane and James McManus in on loan.
Ahead of another European Adventure next week, Shamrock Rovers lead the Premier Division eight points ahead of closest challengers Derry City and Bohemians, though both do have two games in hand over them and have no Europe to contend with either. Talks of a title race being completely over for me is at least a few more weeks premature. But the depth in their squad means they remain worthy favourites.
Prediction: Sligo Rovers 0-3 Shamrock Rovers
Sligo Rovers are in good form, but their Dublin namesakes are operating on a different level and scale, and I think this will be a comfortable away win.
Best Bet: Shamrock Rovers win + Under 3.5 Total Goals – 11/10
*Odds are accurate at time of publishing but subject to change
*Prices are subject to fluctuation
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