It’s that time of the week again! “The Greatest League in the World” is back to light up your weekend! In this post, our League of Ireland tips and predictions, along with our weekly acca, ahead of another weekend in the LOI Premier Division.
With only eight more Friday Night Lights remaining in the 2026 Premier Division season, there’s plenty left to play for with St Patrick’s Athletic looking to make a late surge to unseat Shamrock Rovers , a huge battle underway for the final European place, and arguably half the division not out of some degree of relegation trouble.
In 2026? Expect. The. Unexpected.
LOI Acca Selections
LOI Friday Night #26 Acca Selections
Drogheda vs Dundalk - BTTS @ 8/13
Bohemians vs Sligo Rovers – Draw @ 4/1
St Patrick’s Athletic vs Waterford – Over 2.5 Total Goals @ 8/15
Galway United vs Shelbourne –Under 2.5 Total Goals @ 21/20
Derry City vs Shamrock Rovers - Derry City Double Chance @ 1/2
an accumulator with these selections pays approximately 37/1 with BOYLE Sports .
Drogheda vs Dundalk
Drogheda vs Dundalk Friday 8 pm, Virgin Media Two
Odds
Drogheda – 2/1
Dundalk – 23/20
Draw – 23/10
Preview
Drogheda’s 2026 season may be defined by what occurs in the next couple of games when they host a Louth Derby where they need a win in their battle for survival before hosting Galway United the following Friday Night in an FAI Cup quarter-final. Kevin Doherty’s side abysmal record against St Patrick’s Athletic last weekend when a 0-2 defeat extended their winless streak in the league to four matches.
Only a few weeks ago, Dundalk looked an odds-on chance to secure the final European Place for 2027, but just two points from their last five league games has resulted in several sides below them now in with a fighting chance of usurping the league’s surprise packages to it.
Prediction: Drogheda 1-1 Dundalk
Neither side can be trusted right now, but I can see there being goals for both sides.
Best Bet: BTTS @ 8/13
Bohemians vs Sligo Rovers
Bohemians vs Sligo Rovers – Friday 7:45 pm, LOI TV
Odds
Bohemians - 2/7
Sligo Rovers – 15/2
Draw – 4/1
Preview
Bohemians find themselves in a little bit of a purgatory as we draw to the season’s close; they trail Shamrock Rovers at the top by seven points with eight games in their season remaining, but they’re relatively comfortable in third place, ten ahead of closest challengers Dundalk . Thus the perceived success of their season may come down to whether they can win the FAI Cup ,
Sligo Rovers have not picked up a win in the league since their 2-0 victory over Dundalk last April, a remarkable run of fifteen matches without a win, excluding the FAI Cup . Their Premier Division status is thus naturally precarious, with them now cut adrift at the bottom five behind Drogheda and in need of a run of victories to stand any chance of getting off the bottom.
Prediction: Bohemians 1-1 Sligo Rovers
A draw is beyond the realms of possibility in this one, though I don’t think that would be much good for the Bit O’Red.
Best Bet: Draw @ 4/1
St Patrick’s Athletic vs Waterford
St Patrick’s Athletic vs Waterford Friday 7;45 pm, LOI TV
Odds
St Patrick’s Athletic – 4/11
Waterford – 11/2
Draw – 15/4
Preview
St Patrick’s Athletic remain within an outside chance of their first Premier Division title since the 2013 season. Though they trail Shamrock Rovers by four points as well as having played an extra game, their game at Richmond Park on the 11th of September has the potential to put the title race on a tightrope ahead of the final few weeks of the season.
Waterford continued their consistent run of form under Graham Coughlan last weekend, earning a point through a 0-0 draw against Sligo Rovers at The Showgrounds, which means they’ve earned nine points from their last five fixtures. Further points will be needed to ensure safety for sure, as they’re only one above Drogheda, who are in the relegation playoff place and four back of Galway United immediately above them.
Prediction: St Patrick’s Athletic 2-1 Waterford
St Patrick’s Athletic have no room for let-up in this one, and though they’ve failed the mental hurdle all too often previously, I think they get the three points in this one.
Best Bet: Over 2.5 Total Goals @ 8/15
Galway United vs Shelbourne
Galway United vs Shelbourne Friday 7:45 pm, LOI TV
Odds
Galway United - 6/4
Shelbourne – 11/8
Draw – 5/2
Preview
Galway United looked to be almost out of relegation trouble with their 1-2 victory over Dundalk putting them now five ahead of Drogheda in the relegation playoff place but only four back from the team they beat in fourth spot. Though never glamorous, John Caulfield deserves immense credit for getting a tune out of this squad.
Shelbourne showed their first sign of life of the John Russell tenure last weekend when they played out a spirited showing, holding European Giants Ajax to a 2-2 draw at Tolka Park . Though now out of Europe, this will be a huge test for a side which has had its character tested as they look to ensure European Football for 2027.
Prediction: Galway United 0-1 Shelbourne
Expect the Tribesmen to make it difficult for Shelbourne, but I think the away side should still have that bit more quality.
Best Bet: Under 2.5Total Goals @ 21/20
Derry City vs Shamrock Rovers
Derry City vs Shamrock Rovers Sunday 4 pm, LOI TV
Odds
Derry City – 6/4
Shamrock Rovers – 6/4
Draw – 12/5
Preview
Derry City have stabilised in recent weeks amidst the chaos that has been the 2026 season; they’ve now two wins and one draw in their last three games in all competitions, including a 1-1 draw away to St Patrick’s Athletic last weekend. Though plenty problems remains a positive few games could see them well in the battle for fourth, as well as an FAI Cup semi-final in the coming weeks.
Shamrock Rovers form has taken a little bit of a nose-dive recently, with a disappointing European showing as well as being knocked out of the FAI Cup . Though their perceived strength-in-depth is considered far above anyone else on the island, they’ve almost fallen victim to that depth this season so far, failing to click to the levels expected of them even if another league title looks more likely than not.
Prediction: Derry City 1-1 Shamrock Rovers
Games between both have been narrow in 2026, and I can foresee another narrow game with St Patrick’s Athletic edging it.
Best Bet: Derry City Double Chance @ 1/2
Prices are subject to fluctuation
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Bill is as passionate about Irish football as they come, with an agonising longing to see his country grace a World Cup stage. A League of Ireland devotee and lifelong Man United fan, he knows better than most what sporting heartbreak feels like, and brings that perspective to the BOYLE Sports Blog. With roots in greyhound racing and a curiosity spanning politics, snooker, WWE and beyond, there is rarely a sporting conversation he cannot add to.
