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 Night and weekend! We’re nearing the business end, too, with a little over a month left to decide the respective Title, European and Relegation Races.
LOI Friday Night #26 Acca Selections
St Patrick’s Athletic vs Galway United – St Patrick’s Athletic @ 7/10
Cork City vs Shamrock Rovers - BTTS @ 10/11
Derry City vs Shelbourne – Shelbourne +1 @ 5/6
Sligo Rovers vs Drogheda - Drogheda @ 17/10
Bohemians vs Waterford - Bohemians Win + Under 3.5 Total Goals @ 13/10
An accumulator with these selections pays at approximately 36/1 with BoyleSports.
St Patrick’s Athletic vs Galway United
St Patrick’s Athletic vs Galway United – Friday 7:45 pm, Virgin Media 2
Odds
St Patrick’s Athletic – 7/10
Galway United – 7/2
Draw – 5/2
Preview
The perennial second-half of-the-season side booked their place in the FAI Cup Semi-Finals last weekend following a 3-1 extra-time win over their opponents for this game. That win made it four unbeaten in all competitions following their narrow European elimination last month. However, with only 7 points separating 2nd to 6th and Kenny ‘s side perched in 5th, they will need to maintain said form in the closing weeks for a strong league finish.
John Caulfield's side bowing out of the FAI Cup last weekend means the only thing they can now play for in the month is securing survival and, by extension, their Premier Division status for another season. The signs are poor, though, four defeats and just 1 point from their last 5 league games mean they’re only ahead of Connacht Rivals Sligo Rovers by a goal difference of +4, and bottom-placed Cork City only trail them by 8 points.
Prediction: St Patrick’s Athletic 2-0 Galway United
It may have taken extra time to separate the sides last weekend, but this game has to be completed in 90 minutes, and I fancy Pat’s to do more than enough.
Best Bet: St Patrick’s Athletic @ 7/10
Cork City vs Shamrock Rovers
Cork City vs Shamrock Rovers – Friday 7.45 pm, LOI TV
Odds
Cork City – 5/1
Shamrock Rovers – 1/2
Draw – 14/5
Preview
Cork City booked their place last weekend with a convincing 0-3 win over Finn Harps, though their supporters will be hoping that fixture is not a precursor for games against them next season if they were to be relegated. But as it stands with 7 games remaining in their season, they’re 8 adrift of Sligo Rovers and Galway United, and with work to do if they’re to drag themselves out of the mess they’ve put themselves in.
Shamrock Rovers may have seemed like “Champions Elect” for arguably months now, but they still have a job to do in their remaining 8 games of the season to claim back what they consider their title. They booked their place in the FAI Cup semi-finals by the skin of their teeth last weekend and now will look to get 3 of the 12 points they require for another Premier Division title.
Prediction: Cork City 1-2 Shamrock Rovers
I’m expecting a spirited home performance from CCFC, but Shamrock Rovers should have far too much quality and will get the win.
Best Bet: BTTS @ 10/11
Derry City vs Shelbourne
Derry City vs Shelbourne – Friday 7:45 pm, LOI TV
Odds
Derry City – 10/11
Shelbourne – 3/1
Draw – 9/4
Preview
Derry City earned what could be a crucial win in their European aspirations last weekend, getting on the right side of a 3-4 thriller at Dalymount Park against Bohemians. That victory means with 6 games remaining, their destination is in their own hands, with them sitting in second spot, 2 ahead of The Gypsies.
Shelbourne are another side who will be focusing their entire domestic efforts on the Premier Division as they look to secure European Football for another successive season. 11 points from their last 5 league games means they equal he tally of St Patrick’s Athletic and Shamrock Rovers, though they both remain in the FAI Cup also.
Prediction: Derry City 1-1 Shelbourne
Derry City earned an impressive win last weekend, but they’re unreliable, and I could see a stoic Shelbourne side holding them to a draw at home.
Best Bet: Shelbourne +1 @ 5/6
Sligo Rovers vs Drogheda
Sligo Rovers vs Drogheda – Friday 7:45 pm, LOI TV
Odds
Sligo Rovers – 7/5
Drogheda - 17/10
Draw – 21/10
Preview
The Bit O’Red simply collapsed in the FAI Cup last weekend when Kerry FC came from 3-0 down to win 3-4 for a historic victory at Mounthawk Park in what was the biggest cup “upset” in the FAI Cup’s history. Despite the good feeling behind the club, that result will prompt concern as they still need to acquire a few more points to drag themselves out of the relegation playoff places.
Drogheda’s dreams of a second successive FAI Cup victory ended last weekend by the narrowest of margins when they were knocked out on penalties by Shamrock Rovers. However, with 7 games remaining in their season, there remains the chance to put their European expectations right in advance of the 2026 season by securing European Football via a strong end to their league season.
Prediction: Sligo Rovers 0-1 Drogheda
There are plenty of parallels which can be gleaned from these two sides, but I think Drogheda right now are that bit more reliable, hence, their divulging paths.
Best Bet: Drogheda @ 17/10
Bohemians vs Waterford
Bohemians vs Waterford– Friday 7:45 pm, LOI TV
Odds
Bohemians - 1/3
Waterford – 13/2
Draw – 15/4
Preview
Bohemians have 6 games left to save their season and secure a return to European Football in 2026. However, their latest loss to Derry City means they’ve only earned 5 points in their last 5 league games and are in danger of falling down the table if they don’t finish their season strongly enough.
While Waterford are likely now in an irrelevant purgatory, out of the FAI Cup for some time, 8 points adrift of the European Places, their gap of 4 between themselves and Galway United means they likely need another 3 points or more to secure Premier Division football for the 2026 season, given the form and resiliency shown by those behind them recently.
Prediction: Bohemians 2-0 Waterford
Two seasons which are in danger of petering out at a minimum and completely collapsing at worst, I still think the home side have enough to earn a crucial win.
Best Bet: Bohemians Win + Under 3.5 Total Goals @ 13/10
*Prices are subject to fluctuation.
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