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 #4 Acca Selections
Shamrock Rovers vs St Patrick's Athletic – St Patrick’s Athletic @ 11/5
Shelbourne vs Drogheda - Under 2.5 Goals @ 8/15
Derry City vs Galway United - Galway United or Draw @ 5/6
Waterford vs Bohemians - Waterford @ 7/4
Cork City vs Sligo Rovers - Sligo Rovers or Draw @ 6/10
An accumulator with these selections pays at approximately 38/1 with BoyleSports.
Shamrock Rovers v St Patrick’s Athletic– Friday 7.45 pm, Virgin Media 2
Odds
Shamrock Rovers – 11/10
St Patrick’s Athletic – 11/5
Draw @ 21/10
Preview
It’s been a turbulent start to the season for Shamrock Rovers’ after crashing out of an excellent Conference League run they’ve failed to find form in the Premier Division with one point from their opening three games putting them bottom of the table. There is a sense of Déjà vu following their poor start to the previous season, but there is the sense that even a rip-roaring finish this time around wouldn’t suffice with the consistency and general improvement to their title rivals. Exiting Europe could give their squad a much-needed reprieve, but points are needed sooner rather than later.
Expectations were high for Stephen Kenny’s St Patrick’s Athletic side before the season, but they had a slow start drawing with Drogheda and losing to Galway United in their opening two games. They’ve bounced back in recent weeks with a 4-3 win over Sligo Rovers and a 2-0 victory over Derry City and Aidan Keena the star of the show scoring five goals in his last three games. Since Kenny came in last year they’ve been the most consistent side in the Premier Division, and they look well placed for a genuine title challenge this season.
Prediction: Shamrock Rovers 0-2 St Patrick’s Athletic
Pats’ are unbeaten against Rovers in their last four games with three wins and one draw and I can see them getting the better of the Tallaght outfit again.
Best Bet St Patrick’s Athletic @ 11/5
St Patrick's Athletic - 11/5
Shelbourne v Drogheda– Friday 7.45 pm, LOI TV
Odds
Shelbourne @ 3/4
Drogheda @ 15/4
Draw @ 12/5
Preview
The 2024 Premier Division Champions, defied expectations when they came to success last season under Damien Duff. The 2025 season was expected to be a different test, and it was interesting to see Duff depart from his almost exclusively domestic signing policy in the off-season to bring in Mipo Odubeko from Fleetwood and James Norris on loan from Liverpool to bolster his squad. They remain tough to beat but look more potent in attacking areas at this early stage which will make them an even more dangerous prospect in 2025.
Drogheda opened the season as one of the market leaders for automatic relegation to the First Division (like they do nearly every year). At this early point though they’ve made a mockery of those odds also going unbeaten in their first four league games of the league season. This is their first season moving back to a full-time squad, so the early form is a real positive sign.
Prediction: Shelbourne 1-0 Drogheda United
A repeat of the Presidents’ Cup Final from last month when Shelbourne won out comfortable 2-0 winners. I can see a repeat result this time, but likely a closer game overall this time.
Best Bet Under 2.5 Goals @ 8/15
Under 2.5 Goals - 8/15
Derry City v Galway United – Friday 7.45 pm, LOI TV
Odds
Derry City @ 20/23
Galway United @ 3/1
Draw @ 9/4
Preview
Derry City’s transfer window brought about plenty of debate, on one hand, they invested heavily in their playing budget with the relatively high-profile acquisitions of Holt (32), Winchester (31), Boyce (33), Whyte (28) and Cann (21). However, the age profile and the perceived short-term nature of them drew plenty of raised eyebrows. They’ve opened their season with three defeats and one defeat and manager Tiernan Lynch has stressed this isn’t a short-term plan and stressed the importance of time.
Galway performed excellently last season on their return to the Premier Division and even fluttered ever so briefly with the most unlikely of title challenges. While not the most pleasing side on the eye (to say the least) their no thrills, robust and somewhat throwback style of route one football is extremely effective, and their physicality and fitness can’t be questioned. They’ve started the 2025 season positively too with an unbeaten one win and three draws from their opening four league games.
Prediction: Derry City 0-2 Galway United
The pressure will pile on Derry City with another poor result and following Galway’s positive start to the season I think the away side might pick up points again.
Best Bet: Galway United or Draw @ 5/6
Galway United or Draw -5/6
Waterford v Bohemians– Friday 7.45 pm, LOI TV
Odds
Waterford @ 7/4
Bohemians @ 7/5
Draw @ 21/10
Preview
Waterford have had an excellent start to their Premier Division season with nine points from their opening four league games meaning they sit top of the pile at this earlier stage of the season with their sole defeat coming in a narrow 0-1 loss to reigning Champions Shelbourne. Keith Long’s side have been flying under the radar with their off-season business and if they continue on this accord it will be European Football contention and not relegation trouble for them in 2025.
Bohemians opened their season with a historic 1-0 win at the Aviva Stadium against Shamrock Rovers. They’ve failed to capitalise on that momentum though losing their next three games 1-0 against Derry City, 2-1 against Cork City and on Monday Night 0-1 to Drogheda. There was plenty of hype about their off-season business, but the pressure cooker is starting to boil already on Alan Reynolds and another poor result here will only see that cooker get hotter.
Prediction: Waterford 2-1 Bohemians
Waterford are unbeaten in their last five against Bohemians’ and I can see that trend continuing.
Best Bet Waterford @ 7/4
Waterford - 7/4
Cork City v Sligo Rovers– Friday 7.45 pm, LOI TV
Odds
Cork City @ 6/5
Sligo Rovers @ 15/8
Draw @ 23/10
Preview
Cork City fell to a 1-2 defeat against Waterford on Monday Night after taking a lead into the second half. A limp second-half showing along with some contentious few refereeing calls led to the clubs’ first defeat of the season. Following promotion from the First Division last season a four-point total from their opening three games has been a largely positive start but more of that will be needed to ensure they stay out of the relegation conversation for 2025.
Sligo Rovers are a well-run community club, who constantly overperform based on the resources they’re given which is a credit to both John Russell and his squad. Their start to the season was concerning with three successive defeats, but their 2-1 Monday Night win over Shamrock Rovers suggests their Premier Division faith may not be as terminal as first expected. Though it’s interesting to note there’s been an average of 4.5 goals per game across their four league matches so far this season.
Prediction: Cork City 1-1 Sligo Rovers
An earlier season relegation six-pointer, I fancy the away side here to get something on the back of a good win along with the home side having some selection issues.
Best Bet: Sligo Rovers or Draw @ 6/10
Sligo Rovers or Draw - 6/10
*Prices are subject to fluctuation
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