DUBLIN-BORN football journalist Tony Incenzo previews the forthcoming League of Ireland action ahead of a busy schedule of matches on Friday night.
A full League of Ireland Premier Division programme illuminates Friday evening. We can eagerly look forward to an epic top of the table clash plus a true basement battle as betting interest escalates.
Here are the upcoming pairings alongside my considered score predictions to assist your football betting…
Waterford v Dundalk Prediction
- Waterford Regional Sports Centre
- Kick-off: 7.45pm
- Rankings: 8th versus 4th
Waterford preview – Five victories amid eight unconquered results leave Waterford four points above the danger area. I was particularly impressed by their 2-0 success away to high flying Pats last time out.
Waterford 2026 home LOI form – 14 played, 4 wins, 7 draws, 3 defeats
Dundalk preview – The pulsating 3-2 triumph at Louth rivals Drogheda United a fortnight ago terminated seven matches bereft of winning. Therefore 10 points behind the front three teams.
Dundalk 2026 away LOI form – 15 played, 4 wins, 7 draws, 4 defeats
Score prediction: Honours even 1-1.
Shelbourne v Derry City Prediction
- Tolka Park
- Kick-off: 7.45pm
- Rankings: 5th versus 6th
Shelbourne preview – Shels currently nursing four matches lacking wins which culminated in two consecutive defeats.
Shelbourne 2026 home LOI form – 14 played, 3 wins, 5 draws, 6 defeats
Derry City preview – Just one win from five ongoing LOI engagements for the underachieving Candystripes. Furthermore, one away victory is the division’s worst tally.
Director of football Mark Connolly continues as caretaker boss in light of Tiernan Lynch’s departure last month. Derry City defender Barry Cotter transferred to Bulgarian club CSKA Sofia on Tuesday for an undisclosed fee.
Derry City 2026 away LOI form – 14 played, 1 win, 7 draws, 6 defeats
Score prediction: Shels scrape it 3-2.
Galway United v Bohemians Prediction
- Eamonn Deacy Park
- Kick-off: 7.45pm
- Rankings: 7th versus 3rd
Galway United preview – The Tribesmen reflect on 10 points accumulated during six unbeaten LOI games. They have ascended six points ahead of dreaded drop zone implications.
Galway United 2026 home LOI form – 14 played, 5 wins, 5 draws, 4 defeats
Bohemians preview – Six points below pole position after two successive victories. Eight away wins and 26 points accrued signifies our best travellers amongst the LOI Premier Division.
Bohemians 2026 away LOI form – 14 played, 8 wins, 2 draws, 4 defeats
Score prediction: Bohs brimming 2-0.
Drogheda United v Sligo Rovers Prediction
- Sullivan & Lambe Park
- Kick-off: 7.45pm
- Rankings: 9th versus 10th
Drogheda United preview – A crucial relegation dogfight. Drogs lie four points short of survival. Overall, much cause for concern due to one LOI win inside 14 attempts.
Drogheda United 2026 home LOI form – 15 played, 3 wins, 6 draws, 6 defeats
Sligo Rovers preview – Slumbering five points adrift of Friday’s hosts following seven defeats across 11 winless affairs. The Bit O’ Red’s previous maximum pointer was 2-1 away to leaders Shamrock Rovers on Friday 22nd May.
A slight positive is three draws recorded in Sligo’s past five outings. However, merely nine points picked up on 2026 road trips.
Sligo Rovers 2026 away LOI form – 15 played, 2 wins, 3 draws, 10 defeats
Score prediction: Gloomy 0-0.
St Patrick’s Athletic v Shamrock Rovers Prediction
- Richmond Park
- Kick-off: 8pm
- Rankings: 2nd versus 1st
St Patrick’s Athletic preview – Match of the season in our LOI title chase! Pats must win to close Rovers’ buffer to three points. But I was shocked by how a six game unbeaten sequence for the Inchicore men came to an abrupt halt in that aforementioned 2-0 home loss against lowly Waterford.
St Patrick’s Athletic 2026 home LOI form – 15 played, 9 wins, 3 draws, 3 defeats
Shamrock Rovers preview – Three draws spanning four encounters mean Rovers protect a six point lead. Undefeated throughout eight LOI fixtures though.
Shamrock Rovers 2026 away LOI form – 15 played, 6 wins, 5 draws, 4 defeats
Score prediction: Palpable excitement 4-4.
*Odds subject to change – prices accurate at the time of writing*
