LOI Premier Division Odds, Tips & Weekly Acca – Matchday 2

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 Week 2 Acca Selections

Galway United vs St Patrick’s Athletic – St Patrick's Athletic -1 @ 9/2

Derry City vs Bohemians –  Bohemians + 1 @ 20/23

Waterford vs Shelbourne –  Shelbourne @ 11/10

Drogheda vs Sligo Rovers – Over 2.5 Goals @ 21/20

Shamrock Rovers vs Cork City – Over 2.5 Goals @ 4/5

An accumulator with these selections pays at approximately 78/1 with BoyleSports.

Galway United v St Patrick’s Athletic– Friday 7.45 pm,  Virgin Media 2

Odds

Galway United @ 15/8

St Patrick’s Athletic @ 7/5

Draw @ 14/5

Preview

Galway opened their LOI account for 2025 last Friday Night with a 2-2 draw at Turners Cross against newly promoted Cork City which on the surface was a respectable result. Galway divides opinion and what they lack in footballing quality more than makeup for in terms of physicality and fitness. Despite their two goals last week, I was concerned about the nature of the performance and overall make-up of the sides so I think goals aren’t guaranteed.

Expectations were high for Stephen Kenny’s St Patrick’s Athletic side before the season commenced and though they opened it with a disappointing 0-0 draw at home against Drogheda there is plenty of attacking talent in their side to lead them to glory in the long-term this season. Another interesting dimension to this game will be the next chapter of the Kenny vs Caulfield history book.

Prediction: St Patrick’s Athletic 2-0 Galway United

Pat’s are unbeaten in their last five against Galway and I can see that trend continuing.

Best Bet: St Patrick’s Athletic -1 @ 9/2

Derry City v Bohemians– Friday 7.45 pm, LOI TV

Odds

Derry City @ 20/23

Bohemians @ 14/5

Draw @ 23/10

Preview

Derry City’s new recruits and managerial setup had the unenviable prospect of playing 2024 Champions Shelbourne on the opening night of the season last weekend which in a sense was the perfect litmus test for their prospects in 2025. If that was the case despite an entertaining start to their game, they looked very shaky at the back and in the end were very fortunate not to lose more than 3-1. They do have strong signings though so should be expected to improve in the coming weeks.

Bohemians opened their season with a historic 1-0 win at the Aviva Stadium against Shamrock Rovers following the 25th-minute goal from Ross Tierney. A record LOI crowd of 33,208 attended the game. Following a positive off-season in the transfer market and that win which should have them bouncing Bohs could be good value for an extremely positive start to their season.

Prediction: Derry City 0-2 Bohemians

Derry City underwhelmed on opening night and Bohs did their job against the capacity crowd at the Aviva I think they will profit on that momentum with another win.

Best Bet Bohemians + 1 @ 20/23

Waterford v Shelbourne – Friday 7.45 pm,  LOI TV

Odds

Waterford @ 5/2

Shelbourne @ 11/10

Draw @ 2/1

Preview

Waterford won a 2-3 thriller at The Showgrounds in their first game of the season against Sligo Rovers to earn a crucial early season win.  That doesn't tell the full story though being outshot 25 to 5, only having 37% of possession and having to rely on a penalty save from McMullan they would’ve arguably been considered fortunate to earn even a point not to mind earning all three!

Shelbourne were very impressive winners against Derry City on the opening night of the season and the biggest point of note was how potent they looked going forward when compared to last season when they were only the sixth-highest scorers in the Premier Division. It’s clear to me that with their performance in both that game and in the President’s Cup, they will still have a say in the title race come the end of the season.

Prediction: Waterford 0-2 Shelbourne

Waterford are a side I’m tipping for a solid season, but I think the Shelbourne challenge will be a bridge too far for them on this occasion.

Best Bet: Shelbourne @ 11/10

Drogheda v Sligo Rovers – Friday 7.45 pm,  LOI TV

Odds

Drogheda @ 6/5

Sligo Rovers @ 11/5

Draw @ 2/1

Preview

Drogheda under Kevin Doherty have made a habit of silencing their doubters, they were expected to be relegated in 2024, but they avoided it through the relegation playoff, and they weren’t expected to reach the final of the FAI Cup, not to mind shocking Derry City in the final before they went on to win it. On opening weekend Pat’s were expected to win comfortably but they held them to a 0-0 draw at home. This Drogheda side are more than capable of beating anyone on the island on their day.

Sligo Rovers came out the wrong end of a 2-3 thriller against Waterford last Saturday and though the result was a disappointment they looked very dangerous in attack and controlled possession of the game well. Russell’s Sligo side plays a lovely brand of football and though they’re expected to struggle this season by many I still believe they will have enough to stay up come the end of the season.

Prediction: Drogheda 2-3 Sligo Rovers

I’m expecting another thriller involving Sligo Rovers but this time around I think they come out on the right end of the result!

Best Bet: Over 2.5 Total Goals @ 4/6

Shamrock Rovers v Cork City– Sunday 6 pm,  Virgin Media 2

Odds

Shamrock Rovers @ 11/20

Cork City @ 4/1

Draw @ 3/1

Preview

It’s a busy few weeks for Shamrock Rovers and on the day of writing this, they’ve one step into the next round of the Conference League due to their first-leg triumph in Norway against Molde 0-1. Bradley was brought quickly down to earth with a defeat against Bohemians in the Dublin Derby last Sunday which prompted him to make scathing remarks about Republic of Ireland manager Heimir Hallgrímsson.

Cork City played out a 2-2 draw at Turners Cross on opening night against Galway United and though there were elements to build on namely fitness and physicality their overall performance will have supporters positive of their chances into 2025 especially going forward with the likes of Maguire, Keating, O’Sullivan et al.

Prediction: Shamrock Rovers 2-2 Cork City

This result very much depends on whether Shamrock Rovers get through on Thursday Night and the effort they dispense but I think they’re vulnerable in the league while still in Europe.

Best Bet: Draw @ 3/1

*Prices are subject to fluctuation

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