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 #28 Acca Selections
Derry City vs Sligo Rovers – Sligo Rovers +1 @ 13/8
Waterford vs Drogheda - Drogheda -1 @ 5/1
An accumulator with these selections pays at approximately 14/1 with BoyleSports.
Derry City vs Sligo Rovers – Friday 7:45 pm, LOI TV
Odds
Derry City – 4/9
Sligo Rovers – 5/1
Draw – 16/5
Preview
Derry City have gone unbeaten in the Premier Division since their 2-0 defeat to Shamrock Rovers at the beginning of August, with two victories to their name and three draws. That line of form has them in second spot with four games remaining and a few more positive results away from ensuring European Football for 2026. Key to that relative success would be down to the performances of Michael Duffy, who has nine assists and eleven assists in thirty-two league games.
What a turnaround it’s been for Sligo Rovers' season! Their 1-0 victory last Saturday over St Patrick’s Athletic brought them to eleven points from their last five league games, taking them out of the relegation playoff places and three points clear of Galway United and Waterford, respectively.
Prediction: Derry City 1-1 Sligo Rovers
From their three games this season, we’re yet to see a draw with Derry City winning twice (3-0 and 0-1) and Sligo Rovers winning once, 2-0 last time out. I believe we may be due for a draw between both.
Best Bet: Sligo Rovers +1 @ 13/8
Waterford vs Drogheda – Friday 7.45 pm, LOI TV
Odds
Waterford – 7/5
Drogheda – 8/5
Draw – 16/5
Preview
Waterford’s end-of-season form has fallen off a cliff, with their 2-1 defeat to Shelbourne last weekend taking their sixth defeat in their last eight matches in all competitions, and it means their last win came at the end of July when they had a 2-4 win over Galway United. The loss last weekend was the last straw for the club, and John Coleman was sacked and replaced by Caretaker Manager Matt Lawlor from sister club Fleetwood, he comes in having already been Caretaker Manager and Assistant Manager in separate spells.
Drogheda, led by Kevin Doherty, have been this season’s Premier Division's surprise packages. Despite plenty predicting that they’d be back in the relegation conversation, they’ve made a mockery of that idea, and with four games remaining, they sit in fourth place and well in contention for securing European Football for 2026, which would be more than the club deserves following their controversial expulsion earlier this year.
Prediction: Waterford 0-2 Drogheda
Waterford are in relegation trouble, while Drogheda have aspirations of securing Europe. I fancy the away side for a comfortable victory, though, given their stronger form.
Best Bet: Drogheda -1 @ 5/1
*Prices are subject to fluctuation.
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