Tony Incenzo previews the forthcoming SSE Airtricity League of Ireland action ahead of a packed schedule of games on Friday evening.
Hurtling into the penultimate weekend of regular season endeavours, our League of Ireland Premier Division crown denouement boils down to a two horse race.
Both of the leading protagonists are at home on Friday evening. Meanwhile, there is a huge fixture affecting the battle to avoid a relegation Play-Off. Accordingly, betting interest is reaching fever pitch levels.
Here are the upcoming pairings alongside my considered score predictions to assist your football betting…
Bohemians v Shelbourne Prediction
- Kick-off: 7.45pm
- Rankings: 2nd versus 4th
Bohemians preview – Bohs approach this Dublin north side derby three points behind pole position following six wins within seven attempts. They last won the League of Ireland in 2009.
Bohemians 2026 home LOI form – 17 played, 8 wins, 6 draws, 3 defeats
Shelbourne preview – A miniscule away trip of 1.4 miles. Shels currently protect a four match unbeaten run. In addition, merely two away defeats throughout 2026 is the division’s best tally.
Shelbourne 2026 away LOI form – 17 played, 7 wins, 8 draws, 2 defeats
Score prediction: Bohs boldest 3-2.
Derry City v Dundalk Prediction
- Kick-off: 7.45pm
- Rankings: 5th versus 6th
Derry City preview – Three maximum pointers spanning their past five games as last season’s runners-up head for a mid-table finish.
Derry City 2026 home LOI form – 17 played, 8 wins, 6 draws, 3 defeats
Dundalk preview – Two points below Friday’s hosts. Dundalk nurse five winless matches.
Dundalk 2026 away LOI form – 17 played, 4 wins, 9 draws, 4 defeats
Score prediction: Sleep inducing 0-0.
Galway United v St Patrick’s Athletic Prediction
- Kick-off: 7.45pm
- Rankings: 7th versus 3rd
Galway United preview – One win across four games. Therefore hovering four points ahead of relegation deliberations.
Galway United 2026 home LOI form – 17 played, 6 wins, 6 draws, 5 defeats
St Patrick’s Athletic preview – Two consecutive defeats leave Pats six points short of top spot. Their boss Stephen Kenny said: “I think it more or less knocks us out of title contention.”
St Patrick’s Athletic 2026 away LOI form – 17 played, 7 wins, 5 draws, 5 defeats
Score prediction: Level pegging 2-2.
Waterford v Drogheda United Prediction
- Kick-off: 7.45pm
- Rankings: 8th versus 9th
Waterford preview – A crucial encounter in the quest to dodge that second bottom relegation Play-Off place. Waterford’s 3-2 home triumph over Galway United on Monday night terminated four matches lacking wins.
Waterford 2026 home LOI form – 17 played, 5 wins, 9 draws, 3 defeats
Drogheda United preview – Perched under their opponents on goal difference. Drogs overturned two successive losses by beating visitors Derry City 2-0 last Friday.
Drogheda United 2026 away LOI form – 17 played, 4 wins, 4 draws, 9 defeats
Score prediction: Tension personified 1-1.
Shamrock Rovers v Sligo Rovers Prediction
- Kick-off: 8pm
- Rankings: 1st versus 10th
Shamrock Rovers preview – Fresh from a surprise 2-0 setback at Galway United last Friday. So the Tallaght men see a previously healthy lead cut to three points but still very much in control of their own destiny with two games to go.
Shamrock Rovers 2026 home LOI form – 17 played, 13 wins, 3 draws, 1 defeat
Sligo Rovers preview – Already relegated. The Bit O’ Red slumbering an insurmountable 13 points adrift at the bottom due to 16 ongoing engagements without winning.
Sligo Rovers 2026 away LOI form – 17 played, 2 wins, 3 draws, 12 defeats
Score prediction: Tallaght tornado 7-0.
*Odds subject to change – prices accurate at the time of writing*
