LOI Premier Division Odds, Tips & Weekly Acca – Matchday 1

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.

Week 1 Acca Selections

Shelbourne vs Derry City – Shelbourne 1 Goal Ahead @ 11/10

Cork City vs Galway United –  Under 2.5 Total Goals @ 4/6

St Patrick’s Athletic vs Drogheda – St Patrick’s Athletic -1 @ 7/5

Sligo Rovers vs Waterford – Draw @ 11/5

Bohemians vs Shamrock Rovers – Shamrock Rovers @ 11/10

An accumulator with these selections pays at approximately 55/1 with BoyleSports.

Shelbourne v Derry City– Friday 7.45 pm,  Virgin Media 2

Odds

Shelbourne @ 21/10

Derry City @ 11/8

Draw @ 19/10

Preview

Shelbourne shocked the Premier Division last season with their dramatic final-day victory over Derry City, which meant they pipped Shamrock Rovers by two points to deny them their fifth successive title. The task will be different for Damien Duff’s side this time around as the reigning champions as well as European Football to look forward to again in the summer. “Duffer” has continued to work wonders in the Transfer Market this season with the headline acquisition of Odubeko from Fleetwood, someone who is a potential Golden Boot winner.

It was an interesting 2024 season for Derry City. They challenged for the league title in the early days, but just one win in their final four league games meant they eventually finished fourth, eight points behind league winners Shelbourne with their FAI Cup final loss to Drogheda, meaning no European Football in 2025. This off-season, though, they’ve gone big with several relatively high-profile signings, Boyce (33), Whyte (28) and Ferguson (33), the ages of which suggest the club has elected to go for “immediate” success again and if they click, they will be dangerous.

Prediction: Shelbourne 1-0 Derry City

Derry City can make a statement with an early season win, but I think home advantage at Tolka could tip the game in the favour of the Champions.

Best Bet Shelbourne 1 Goal Ahead @ 11/10

Cork City v Galway United – Friday 7.45 pm,  LOI TV

Odds

Cork City @ 13/5

Galway United @ 20/21

Draw @ 9/4

Preview

Cork City are back where they belong in the Premier Division following their First Division title victory in 2024. The primary task in the opening few weeks for Tim Clancy’s side will be to firmly establish themselves as a genuine Premier Division level side and to try to distance themselves from the relegation conversations following seasons of volatility at the club yo-yo-ing between divisions. The partnership between star strikers Keating and Maguire and how that ends up clicking with the step up in level will go a long way in deciding where they feature in the table.

Galway United made a brilliant return to the Premier Division last season, quickly distancing themselves from the relegation conversation remarkably, they flirted with the European Places for a few weeks, though just six points from their final six league games left them finishing in a respectable fifth place. Their success last season was built off a strong defensive structure, with their 29 conceded only bettered by League Champions Shelbourne (27). Their success this season will depend on whether their signings from Canada, the USA and Australia can better their goal tally.

Prediction: Cork City 1-1 Galway United

I could see this going several ways, but I am leaning towards a draw. The one thing I’m almost certain of is that it won’t be a high-scoring game.

Best Bet: Under 2.5 Total Goals @ 4/6

St Patrick’s Athletic v Drogheda– Friday 7.45 pm,  LOI TV

Odds

St Patrick’s Athletic @ 4/9

Drogheda @ 11/2

Draw @ 14/5

Preview

St Patrick’s Athletic had an incredible turnaround in their form last season following the appointment of Stephen Kenny, making them the form team in the country. Had the league run two weeks further, they’d have likely won the Premier Division title. It’s no surprise that because of that, they’re many people’s pre-season favourites, and with Baggley and Carty coming in, their strong squad looks the most rounded in the country right now.

Drogheda silenced some doubters last season, avoiding automatic relegation, winning the relegation playoff final and a historic FAI Cup victory over Derry City to give them European Football for 2025. While Drogheda lost 2-0 in the President’s Cup Final last weekend, I wouldn’t rule too much into that game. Home form will be crucial for Drogheda this season again, and I think their squad will take a few more weeks to blend properly together.

Prediction: St Patrick’s Athletic 2-0 Drogheda

Drogheda have failed to win their last four matches against St Patrick’s Athletic, and I expect that trend to continue in this game.

Best Bet: St Patrick’s Athletic -1 @ 7/5

Sligo Rovers v Waterford– Friday 7.45 pm,  LOI TV

Odds

Sligo Rovers @ 13/10

Waterford @ 9/5

Draw @ 11/5

Preview

Sligo Rovers had a positive season under John Russell in 2024, comfortably avoiding the relegation conversation, finishing in sixth place, fifteen points ahead of Drogheda United in the relegation playoff position and twenty-three points ahead of the automatically relegated Dundalk. This season, though, could be problematic with the losses of key figures Chapman, Morahan and McGinty it will be difficult for Russell to replace such names, but Sargeant, Hakiki and Kavanagh look solid additions.

Waterford surprised many with their performances in the 2024 season following their playoff promotion victory over Cork City. However, Keith Long and his squad certainly deserve plaudits to how they adapted with the step up in quality. Their off-season was interesting too, Lonergan, Boyle and Smith could do the business for the club though with Amond another year older and question marks regarding their replacements in net of the individual Sam Sargeant their future success in 2025 is hot talking point with some seeing them as relegation favourites.

Prediction: Sligo Rovers 1-1 Waterford

This is a very difficult game to judge for both sides, and I think both sides should cancel each other out on this occasion.

Best Bet: Draw 11/5

Bohemians v Shamrock Rovers– Sunday 2pm,  Virgin Media 2

Odds

Bohemians @ 21/10

Shamrock Rovers @ 11/10

Draw @ 12/5

Preview

What a season opener this will be for Bohemians at the Aviva Stadium! Due to the club forgoing their home fixture, this historic game has been able to be scheduled, which will mark another show-piece event for Irish Football. Their squad looks to be far stronger and rounded this time around due to some positive on paper transfer business. The statement signing of former £10 million Sheffield United star Lys Mousset could be an incredible piece of business or something that crashes and burns, though they will also have the talents of Colm Whelan in attack too.

Shamrock Rovers lost their grip on the Premier Division last season, being pipped at the post on the final day of the season. However, their results in Europe have been nothing short of commendable and a testament to Stephen Bradley and his squad. With that being said, with the losses of Hoare, Farrugia, Towell, Kenny and Burns, there has been plenty of rare squad churn this time around, and it remains to be seen if they’ve been appropriately replaced, though Matthews, McGinty and Healy all look strong additions.

Prediction: Bohemians 1-2 Shamrock Rovers

This is a huge early season game, and this “Dublin Derby” never fails to disappoint, expect goals and drama in abundance. Shamrock Rovers should be that level above, though at odds of 11/10, looks like a steal to win,

Best Bet: Shamrock Rovers @ 11/10 

*Prices are subject to fluctuation

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