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 #28 Acca Selections
Bohemians vs Drogheda – BTTS @ 4/6
Shamrock Rovers vs Waterford – Waterford Double Chance @ 17/10
Derry City vs Galway United - Under 2.5 Total Goals @ 11/10
Dundalk vs Shelbourne – Draw @ 23/10
Sligo Rovers vs St Patrick’s Athletic - St Patrick’s Athletic @ 4/11
an accumulator with these selections pays approximately 41/1 with BOYLE Sports.
Bohemians vs Drogheda
Bohemians vs Drogheda Friday 8 pm, Virgin Media Two
Odds
Bohemians – 1/3
Drogheda – 6/1
Draw – 15/4
Preview
Bohemians are well within a title race, entering this fixture on the back of their 2-3 away win over Galway United on Friday night. They’re three points behind St Patrick’s Athletic and Shamrock Rovers, having played one less game than the former. With an FAI Cup semi-final to look forward to as well, the onus will be on Alan Reynolds to carefully manage his squad in the coming weeks.
Drogheda have taken a huge step toward their aspirations for Premier Division survival in 2026 following back-to-back victories, first 2-0 over Sligo Rovers on Friday night and again 1-2 over Shelbourne on Monday. They remain in the relegation playoff place, though only four points off Derry City in fifth place.
Prediction: Bohemians 2-1 Drogheda
Bohemians need to win more than the home side, and I expect them to do so
Shamrock Rovers vs Waterford
Shamrock Rovers vs Waterford Friday 8 pm, LOI TV
Odds
Shamrock Rovers – 2/5
Waterford – 5/1
Draw – 7/2
Preview
Shamrock Rovers have looked like Premier Division title winners-elect for almost the entire season. However, a shaky few weeks have seen them eliminated from Europe, the FAI Cup and a tally of only six points from their last five league games. Stephen Bradley and his squad will require all their experience to steer themselves to another league title.
Waterford continue to be one of the in-form sides on the island under Graham Coughlan with nine points from their last five league games as well as an FAI Cup semi-final to look forward to. Their 2-2 draw with Derry City on Monday has them eighth but only four points back of fifth place with five games remaining.
Prediction: Shamrock Rovers 1-1 Waterford
It’s very hard to separate both, but if favouring one, the home side may have more momentum.
Derry City vs Galway United
Derry City vs Galway United Friday 7:45 pm, LOI TV
Odds
Derry City – 5/6
Galway United – 5/2
Draw – 13/5
Preview
Derry City remain in a fighting chance for fourth position following a win over Shelbourne and a draw with Waterford. The Candystripes are just three points behind Dundalk with five league games remaining, but the issue has always been their consistency, which can’t be relied on.
Galway United, following their 1-3 win away in the Connacht Derby on Monday night, find themselves in a simultaneous battle to stay away from the relegation playoff spot but also with an outside chance of securing European football, whether it be through the league or cup, in the closing weeks of the season.
Prediction: Derry City 1-0 Galway United
Games between both are generally tight, but I think Shels may edge it.
Dundalk vs Shelbourne
Dundalk vs Shelbourne Friday 7:45 pm, LOI TV
Odds
Dundalk – 6/5
Shelbourne – 9/5
Draw – 7/2
Preview
Dundalk have had a relatively successful return to the Premier Division in 2026, but four points from their last five league games seems like a reversion to the mean of where they should be, especially given injuries and departures. With five remaining, they’re still in the driver’s seat for fourth spot though, and they deserve credit for that.
Shelbourne surely couldn’t find themselves in a relegation race? Two points from their last five league games have them in seventh spot and only two above both Waterford and, most crucially of all, Drogheda. That would’ve been inconceivable for most pre-season, with many expecting a run at another title.
Prediction: Dundalk 1-1 Shelbourne
Two sides whose seasons are simultaneously in danger of petering out or even relegation trouble; I don’t trust either to get the three points.
Sligo Rovers vs St Patrick’s Athletic
Sligo Rovers vs St Patrick’s Athletic – Saturday 7:45 pm, LOI TV
Odds
Sligo Rovers – 11/2
St Patrick’s Athletic – 2/5
Draw – 16/5
Preview
Sligo Rovers are certain to be playing First Division football in 2027 and could be relegated officially by the time this game kicks off on Saturday. Attention is likely to turn to planning for next season, so it’ll be interesting, albeit on a lesser scale for supporters, to see who and what Darren Purse favours in his planning.
St Patrick’s Athletic well and truly find themselves in a title race, and their 0-4 hammering of Dundalk on Monday night may suggest they’ve found the mental mantle they’ll require to make a real run for a Premier Division success. There is little to no room for slip-up, and they need to be professional on Saturday.
Prediction: Sligo Rovers 0-2 St Patrick’s Athletic
Sligo Rovers are all but relegated; Pats have it all the way, for I can only see one result.
*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.
