League Of Ireland Premier Division Odds, Tips + Acca – Matchday 1

In this post, you can find our League of Ireland odds, tips plus the Weekly Acca as we look forward to an action-packed season of Irish football.

The League of Ireland season is back! The Premier Division kicks off on Friday Night with the headline fixture between Shamrock Rovers and Dundalk. Rovers are 8/11 favourites with BoyleSports to become the first side to win 5 consecutive Premier Division titles. There’s also plenty of excitement around Premier Division newcomers Galway United while Waterford will be bidding for safety after their promotion last season.

Elsewhere, recently relegated Cork City are favourites to bounce with a First Division title success at 4/11 with their closest challengers expected to be Bray at 7/1, UCD at 8/1 and Wexford at 9/1.

This season we will be continuing our domestic coverage previewing the weekly action along with a weekly acca for all readers to consider.

League of Ireland Matchday 1 Acca Selections

Shamrock Rovers vs Dundalk – Shamrock Rovers Win + BTTS @ 21/10

Derry City vs Drogheda United – Draw @ 7/2

Waterford vs Shelbourne – Shelbourne Win + Under 2.5 Goals @ 7/2

Bohemians vs Sligo Rovers – Sligo Rovers or Draw @ 13/10

Galway United vs St Patrick’s Athletic – St Patrick’s Athletic @ 8/5

An accumulator with these selections pays at approximately 375/1 with BoyleSports

Shamrock Rovers v Dundalk – Friday 8 pm, RTÉ 2

Odds

Shamrock Rovers @ 1/4

Dundalk @ 9/2

Draw @ 10/1

Preview

Shamrock Rovers picked up where they left off from last season with their new-look side making light work of St Patrick’s Athletic with a 3-1 victory in the President’s Cup. Arguably more impressive than the result itself was the context that Rovers achieved it without the likes of Jack Byrne and Johnny Kenny, demonstrating their strength in depth.

Despite the dominance of previous sides including Stephen Kenny’s Dundalk, Shamrock Rovers have the chance to win their 5th successive league title this year, a feat never achieved by a club in Ireland.

Dundalk in comparison to their previous dominance under Kenny, are very much in the doldrums (for their standards) having missed out on European qualification last season.

Following the end of the Hoban saga which saw him sign with Derry and the exodus of some of their more fancied footballers, It’s left O’Donnell scrambling to recuperate a squad, compounded with the mass expectations of their fanbase has many querying his long-term credentials as the man to bring Dundalk forward.

With pre-season performances being underwhelming and a large amount of integration needed of their new signings Dundalk could be in troubled water this season.

You can find our full preview of Shamrock Rovers vs Dundalk here.

Prediction: Shamrock Rovers 3-1 Dundalk

Shamrock Rovers might have been missing some of their biggest stars last Friday Night their strength in depth showed. Dundalk is on the opposite end and very much unknown quantities so I think Rovers win comfortably albeit they may concede.

Best Bet: Shamrock Rovers Win + BTTS @ 21/10

Click Below For Our LIVE League of Ireland Odds

Derry City v Drogheda – Friday 7.45 pm, LOI TV

Odds

Derry City @ 2/5

Drogheda @13/2

Draw @ 7/2

Preview

Derry City finished the bridesmaid to Shamrock Rovers for the second successive season in the Premier Division last season, albeit cutting the gap between the sides (points-wise) from 13 to 7 points.

That finish prompted the powers that be in Derry into action with the statement signing of Patrick Hoban adding guaranteed goals into a team which struggled for them last year. That along with maintaining their strong core as plenty expecting them to go closer to the title again this season,

Drogheda on the other hand are coming into this season off a lower base following their 7th finish last season, However, some shrewd signings including Keaney and Quinn in defence along with former Athlone hitman Pierrot have prompted plenty of “pundits” into tipping Drogheda to be the seasons surprise packages, facilitated by the investment which has come from the Trivela Group.

The whispers from on and off the field suggest that Drogheda are very much a club on the up and following their pre-season victory against Dundalk they enter this game full of confidence.

Prediction: Derry City 1-1 Drogheda

Derry with the addition of Hoban looks well placed to build further and challenge for a league title, provided they can keep the core of their squad fit. However, Drogheda won’t fear Derry by any means and given it’s the first Friday Night of the season I can see this being a draw.

Best Bet: Draw @ 7/2

Click Below For Our LIVE League of Ireland Odds

Waterford v Shelbourne – Friday 7.45 pm, LOI TV

Odds

Waterford @ 23/10

Shelbourne @23/20

Draw @ 11/5

Preview

Waterford are back in the Premier Division for the first time since the 2021 season where they were relegated in the relegation play-off final against UCD 1-2.

Last season proved better for the Waterford faithful on the playoff front overcoming Munster rivals 2-1 AET to earn themselves promotion again.

They made some decent off-season signings with Amond back from England headlining along with Radkowski that’s before you mention mercurial talent Romeo Akachukwu.

Shelbourne will play in Europe later this season following their 4th finish in the league, led by Ireland legend Damien Duff. They certainly seem to be a club on the up and arguably the best set-up side in the Division.

The recruitment was always going to be interesting under Duff and they’ve brought in considerable LOI experience with Gannon, Ward and although the loss of Moylan will cut deep the loan signings of Jarvis again along with Burt from Rovers could fill that void nicely.

Prediction: Waterford 0-2 Shelbourne

Waterford will come into this match buoyant and full of confidence following a strong pre-season. However, I think Duff’s side should be far more tactically drilled and proficient for them to deal with.

Best Bet: Shelbourne Win + Under 2.5 Goals @ 7/2

Click Below For Our LIVE League of Ireland Odds

Bohemians v Sligo Rovers – Friday 7.45 pm, LOI TV

Odds

Bohemians @ 4/7

Sligo Rovers @ 9/2

Draw @ 14/5

Preview

Bohemians had a Jekyll and Hyde season last year, running out to an early season Premier Division lead. They eventually faltered and despite reaching the FAI Cup Final against St Patrick’s Athletic, they had to settle for the runner-up prize again.

It’s been a difficult off-season for the club with Afolabi the headline departure to Belgium. Their recruitment is headlined by the returning Cornwall, Grant and Rooney from Drogheda. It remains to be seen whether they’ve done enough to build from last season with question marks over their new signings and squad depth on the whole.

On the other hand, Sligo struggled throughout last season and were major beneficiaries of the fact Cork City were their chaotic selves and UCD were a cut a drift from the pack. However, I like how the club have recruited in the off-season with Malley, McGinty, Waweru and Wilson all coming in among others.

They may struggle for squad depth too like Bohemians but I think there is a better squad make-up in the squad this year.

Prediction: Bohemians 1-1 Sligo Rovers

Bohemians are worthy favourites, albeit it is largely due to their home advantage rather than an incredible off-season. I think Sligo could shock a few this season and I fancy them to get either a win or a draw on the opening night piling pressure on Declan Devine.

Best Bet: Sligo Rovers or Draw @ 13/10

Click Below For Our LIVE League of Ireland Odds

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

Odds

Galway United @ 8/5

Dundalk @8/5

Draw @ 12/5

Preview

Galway were promoted on a canter last season from the First Division with a phenomenal record of 30 wins, 4 draws and 2 defeats from their 36 games putting their 94-point total 25 points ahead of runner-up Waterford.

Following that rampant success, plenty are tipping Galway for a huge season this year. However, I remain unconvinced due to the massive step up in quality from the First Division to the Premier Division and plenty of their signings coming from the First Division it remains to be seen whether this Moneyball method by Caulfield and co can keep them safe from relegation.

St Patrick’s Athletic look to be a club rising in stock under Jon Daly following their 3rd finish in the league and their FAI Cup victory they look best placed to challenge Shamrock Rovers this season.

Their mix of “youth” like Melia and “experience” with Redmond, Forrester and most notably the addition of Ruairi Keating from Cork City. Although Sam Curtis is a massive loss, they have an international talent in Ryan McLoughlin waiting in the wings to replace him.

Prediction: Galway United 1-3 St Patrick’s Athletic

Despite the hype surrounding Galway this season, the Pats should be on a whole other level to them so I am expecting they receive a huge wake-up call on Friday Night on the difference in quality across the divisions.

Best Bet: St Patrick’s Athletic @ 8/5

Click Below For Our LIVE League of Ireland Odds

*Prices subject to fluctuation

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