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 again! “The Greatest League in the World” is back to light up your Friday Nights and weekend! With 8 game weeks left, there’s plenty left to play for in the respective title, European and relegation battles.
LOI Friday Night #25 Acca Selections
Cork City vs Waterford – Cork City @ 11/8
Derry City vs St Patrick’s Athletic – St Patrick’s Athletic 1 Goal Ahead @ 6/5
Sligo Rovers vs Bohemians – Sligo Rovers Double Chance @ 20/21
Shelbourne vs Galway United – Shelbourne @ EVS
Shamrock Rovers vs Drogheda - Shamrock Rovers @ 4/9
An accumulator with these selections pays at approximately 28/1 with BoyleSports.
Cork City vs Waterford
Cork City vs Waterford – Friday 7.45 pm, LOI TV
Odds
Cork City – 11/8
Waterford – 17/10
Draw – 11/5
Preview
Cork City’s “mini renaissance” took a major blow last weekend when they were comfortably beaten 3-0 by a far better Bohs side. That defeat makes survival all the more difficult with CCFC now 10 behind Sligo Rovers and 11 back of Galway United with 7 games remaining. If they’re to have any hope of clawing things back, this is a must-win against a Waterford side they’ve 2 wins and 2 defeats too in all competitions this season.
Waterford aren’t quite out of safety from a potential relegation playoff yet, though in 7th, they’re 4 points ahead of Galway United immediately above them. Their form is concerning too, with 1 win in their last 5 games in all competitions, currently on 34 points, they likely need another 6 from their final 7 to be absolutely sure of safety.
Prediction: Cork City 1-0 Waterford
A huge game for both sides in their respective fights for safety, and though Waterford have more points on the board, I think Cork City are in better form and home advantage should swing the game in their favour.
Best Bet: Cork City @ 11/8
Derry City vs St Patrick’s Athletic
Derry City vs St Patrick’s Athletic – Friday 7:45 pm, LOI TV
Odds
Derry City –11/10
St Patrick’s Athletic – 5/2
Draw – 2/1
Preview
Derry City bounced back from their FAI Cup exit last weekend to secure a crucial 1-2 victory over Galway United. That win ensured they stay solidified in 3rd place with an all-important European Spot for the 2026 season. With sides below them finding form too, they’ll need to continue winning matches or will risk another disappointing season for the club.
Stephen Kenny’s St Patrick's Athletic side, like last season, are receiving a second-half-of-the-season post-Europe bounce. They’ve now won 3 consecutive Premier Division wins and 11 points earned from their last 5 league games, whilst still being in the FAI Cup. How high they can climb will depend on the form of those around them, too, but they still look one of the most likely contenders to take a European Place.
Prediction: Derry City 0-2 St Patrick’s Athletic
Derry City might be at home, but I think the away side have the superior quality when it comes to both playing squad and managerial teams.
Best Bet: St Patrick’s Athletic 1 Goal Ahead @ 6/5
Sligo Rovers vs Bohemians
Sligo Rovers vs Bohemians – Saturday 7:45 pm, LOI TV
Odds
Sligo Rovers – 3/1
Bohemians – 13/5
Draw – 3/4
Preview
Sligo Rovers came from behind to pick up a massive 1-2 win over Waterford in the context of their survival aspirations. That victory puts them 10 points clear of bottom-placed Cork City, but even more importantly, only 1 behind Galway United as they look to get out of the relegation/playoff places in the final 8 games of their season.
Bohemians bounced back from their FAI Cup elimination from the previous week with a convincing 3-0 win over Cork City. That victory means they currently occupy second spot, 1 clear of Derry City with 8 games remaining, though they’re a significant 7 behind Shamrock Rovers with their Dublin Rivals having a game-in-hand.
Prediction: Sligo Rovers 1-1 Bohemians
The home side are in good form and recently dumped their opponents out of the FAI Cup, so they should be full of confidence. I fancy them to get something from this game which could edge them closer to safety.
Best Bet: Sligo Rovers Double Chance @ 20/21
Shelbourne vs Galway United
Shelbourne vs Galway United – Sunday 5 pm, LOI TV
Odds
Shelbourne – EVS
Galway United - 23/10
Draw – 12/5
Preview
Shelbourne have slowly stabilised in recent weeks under Joey O’Brien and to date have efficiently managed the load of both League, European and Cup commitments. Their 9 points earned from their last 5 league games has only been bettered by St Patrick’s Athletic with 11, and with 9 games remaining are now just 7 back of Bohemians in second place.
Galway United are in free fall, following 4 defeats in their last 5 league matches and only 1 point. The fallout in recent months has taken what looked to be a positive season with the chance of challenging for a European Place to one which will now have to be fully focused on avoiding relegation.
Prediction: Shelbourne 1-0 Galway United
Shelbourne may have Europe to contend with before this fixture, but they should still have enough to pile the misery onto Galway United.
Best Bet: Shelbourne @ EVS
Shamrock Rovers vs Drogheda
Shamrock Rovers vs Drogheda – Sunday 7 pm, LOI TV
Odds
Shamrock Rovers -4/9
Drogheda – 6/1
Draw – 14/5
Preview
Shamrock Rovers look to be in pole position to win another Premier Division title in the coming weeks, and are bouncing back perfectly from the disappointment of last season. Their 7-point lead with 9 games remaining means there remains work to be done, but the depth of talent in Stephen Bradley’s squad is more than capable of balancing League, European and Cup competitions.
Drogheda United have been this season's surprise packages. Though their expulsion from Europe was controversial, they haven’t let that affect their league form, and with 8 games remaining, they stand every chance of securing European Football for next season and also have an FAI Cup Quarter-Final to look forward to as they seek to retain their 2024 success.
Prediction: Shamrock Rovers 2-0 Drogheda
Shamrock Rovers have been a class above this season, and even if Drogheda are a resilient outfit, I still can’t see them blinking in this game.
Best Bet: Shamrock Rovers @ 4/9
*Prices are subject to fluctuation.
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