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.
In 2026? Expect. The. Unexpected.
LOI Acca Selections
LOI Friday Night #27 Acca Selections
St Patrick’s Athletic vs Shamrock Rovers - Draw @ 11/5
Shelbourne vs Derry City –Shelbourne @ 6/5
Galway United vs Bohemians - Under 2.5 Total Goals @ 11/10
Waterford vs Dundalk– BTTS @ 2/5
Drogheda vs Sligo Rovers -Draw @ 13/5
An accumulator with these selections pays approximately 73/1 with BOYLE Sports.
St Patrick’s Athletic vs Shamrock Rovers
St Patrick’s Athletic vs Shamrock Rovers Friday 8 pm, Virgin Media Two
Odds
St Patrick’s Athletic – 11/10
Shamrock Rovers – 11/5
Draw – 11/5
Preview
Despite their relatively consistently inconsistent form, St Patrick’s Athletic still find themselves within an outside chance of their first Premier Division title since 2013. However, on the back of a 0-2 defeat to Waterford in their last league outing and being eliminated from the FAI Cup on penalties last week, they may need a perfect seven wins from seven to “save their season”.
Shamrock Rovers were held to a 0-0 draw by Shelbourne at Tallaght Stadium last Friday, which kept the door open, albeit slightly for their title rivals. Nevertheless, they remain six clear of their opponents as well as Bohemians and can put the final nail in Pat’s aspirations with a win tonight.
Prediction: St Patrick’s Athletic 1-1 Shamrock Rovers
The biggest game of the season, but I’m unconvinced Pat’s has the bottle to win.
Best Bet: Draw @ 11/5
Shelbourne vs Derry City
Shelbourne vs Derry City Friday 7:45 pm, LOI TV
Odds
Shelbourne – 6/5
Derry City – 7/4
Draw – 5/2
Preview
It’s been a shaky season for Shelbourne in 2026, but a 0-0 draw in Tallaght last Friday is far from a blot on their season. With a game in hand over most of their rivals for fourth place, they still retain a little more than an outside chance of leapfrogging Dundalk in the next few weeks. But like other sides fighting on other fronts, there’s little room for error.
Derry City have only five points from their last five league games, though their 4-2 FAI Cup quarter-final victory over Dundalk on Sunday means they still have a bit to play for alongside a chance of finishing fourth if they can find form. Furthermore, any side with Michael Duffy always has a chance in games on this island; such is his quality.
Prediction: Shelbourne 1-0 Derry City
Games between both are generally tight, but I think Shels may edge it.
Best Bet: Shelbourne @ 6/5
Galway United vs Bohemians
Galway United vs Bohemians Friday 7;45 pm, LOI TV
Odds
Galway United – 11/4
Bohemians – 8/11
Draw – 14/5
Preview
Galway United have quietly had a good season, despite an admission from this author that they kept predicting a downturn in their form. Nevertheless, they’ve now got an FAI Cup semi-final to look forward to after their 1-2 win over Drogheda last weekend and, barring disaster, won’t be dragged into the relegation playoff place.
Bohemians, for all their marketing thrills and colourful jerseys, have been routinely criticised for their lack of silverware. However, to the credit of Alan Reynolds, they’re now into an FAI Cup semi-final and harbour an outside chance of a Premier Division title in the coming weeks. Though I reckon if fans could guarantee one, they would take it.
Prediction: Galway United 0-2 Bohemians
Bohemians need to win more than the home side, and I expect them to do so
Best Bet: Under 2.5 Total Goals @ 11/10
Waterford vs Dundalk
Waterford vs Dundalk Friday 7:45 pm, LOI TV
Odds
Waterford – 5/4
Dundalk – 6/4
Draw – 5/2
Preview
Waterford show no signs of letting up following their 3-0 FAI Cup quarter-final victory over Sligo Rovers last weekend; they now have a semi-final to look forward to with Bohemians . Not only do they have the chance for European Football in the cup, but if they continue their run of form they’ve every chance of climbing from eighth to fourth in their final seven games.
Though Dundalk were knocked out of the FAI Cup last weekend, their Louth Derby victory in the previous week theoretically has their fourth-place aspirations in their hands come the close of the season. Whether that is enough to secure European Football is outside of their control, though it remains a solid season for the club.
Prediction: Waterford 2-1 Dundalk
It’s very hard to separate both, but if favouring one, the home side may have more momentum.
Best Bet: BTTS @ 2/5
Drogheda vs Sligo Rovers
Drogheda vs Sligo Rovers – Friday 7:45 pm, LOI TV
Odds
Drogheda - 7/10
Sligo Rovers – 16/5
Draw – 13/5
Preview
It’s been a poor season for all involved at Drogheda Football Club. With seven games remaining in their season, they’re in nineth, five ahead of their opponents who are bottom four adrift of an in-form Waterford . This is a crucial game for their season whereby a win would likely ensure they’re not automatically relegated, but a defeat could put them in serious trouble.
This may just be the last chance saloon for Sligo Rovers, even if they’ll still have six league games remaining after this fixture. A defeat would mean they’d have an eight-point deficit to make up, and given their form in 2026, relegation to the First Division would seem all but guaranteed.
Prediction: Drogheda 1-1 Sligo Rovers
Sligo Rovers are badly in need of a win, but I’m unsure they’ve enough about them to.
Best Bet: Draw @ 13/5
*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.
