DUBLIN-BORN football journalist Tony Incenzo previews the forthcoming League of Ireland programme for William Hill News, with score predictions and betting tips on the key matches.
A full League of Ireland series is looming over the weekend. There are important matches affecting both ends of the table.
Here are the upcoming pairings alongside my considered score predictions to assist your football betting…
Friday 31st July 2026
Dundalk v Sligo Rovers
- Oriel Park
- Kick-off: 7.45pm
- Rankings: 4th versus 10th
Dundalk preview – A three game losing streak was terminated by drawing 1-1 at St Patrick’s Athletic last Friday. It keeps Dundalk seven points below the front three teams.
Dundalk 2026 home form – 12 played, 6 wins, 2 draws, 4 defeats
Sligo Rovers preview – One point adrift at the foot of the table following five defeats within seven winless fixtures. Also five points shy of eighth placed survival. It is a first away match for new boss Darren Purse, the former Premier League defender.
He left his coaching role at Cardiff City to join Sligo last week and commenced by overseeing the 2-2 home draw against Drogheda United. Purse said he “learned a lot” from that performance.
Sligo Rovers 2026 away form – 12 played, 2 wins, 2 draws, 8 defeats
Score prediction: Empty tank 0-0.
Drogheda United v Shamrock Rovers
- Sullivan & Lambe Park
- Kick-off: 8pm
- Rankings: 8th versus 1st
Drogheda United preview – Unbeaten for two fixtures sitting four points clear of relegation peril. But plenty of cause for concern after merely one LOI win across 10 attempts.
Drogheda United 2026 home form – 12 played, 3 wins, 5 draws, 4 defeats
Shamrock Rovers preview – Disappointed to be knocked out of the Champions League by Ararat-Armenia in Tallaght on Tuesday night (aggregate score 2-3).
However, LOI fortunes see three wins amid a four match unbeaten run leaving Rovers cementing seven points of buffer at the top. Furthermore, the Hoops have broken their domestic transfer fee record this week in signing Sligo Rovers left sided player Will Fitzgerald for €75,000.
Shamrock Rovers 2026 away form – 13 played, 6 wins, 3 draws, 4 defeats
Score prediction: Rovers comfortable 3-0.
Sunday 2nd August 2026
Waterford v Shelbourne
- Waterford Regional Sports Centre
- Kick-off: 3pm
- Rankings: 9th versus 5th
Waterford preview – Four undefeated encounters move Waterford one point off the bottom. There are still four points to make up on the safety region though.
Waterford 2026 home form – 12 played, 2 wins, 7 draws, 3 defeats
Shelbourne preview – Nine points behind those European qualification spots. Shels haven’t played a LOI fixture since Friday 3rd July when edging Dundalk 2-1 at Tolka Park. Significantly in looking ahead to Sunday, they’ve only lost one away League game all season.
Shelbourne 2026 away form – 11 played, 5 wins, 5 draws, 1 defeat
Score prediction: Shels in control 4-2.
St Patrick’s Athletic v Derry City
- Richmond Park
- Kick-off: 5pm
- Rankings: 2nd versus 6th
St Patrick’s Athletic preview – Back to back draws mean Pats are seven points off the summit. Strong at home where they’ve amassed 29 points so far on Inchicore soil.
St Patrick’s Athletic 2026 home form – 13 played, 9 wins, 2 draws, 2 defeats
Derry City preview – Mid-table accruing one win in four LOI matches. Derry are the 2026 season’s big disappointment in my opinion having finished as runners-up last year. The Candystripes certainly need to improve on just one away victory which is this division’s lowest road trip tally.
Derry City 2026 away form – 12 played, 1 win, 6 draws, 5 defeats
Score prediction: Pats prevailing 1-0.
Bohemians v Galway United
- Dalymount Park
- Kick-off: 7pm
- Rankings: 3rd versus 7th
Bohemians preview – Seven points beneath pole position protecting three straight LOI victories. They might well be leg weary in light of Thursday’s Conference League tie in Kosovo.
Bohemians 2026 home form – 12 played, 4 wins, 5 draws, 3 defeats
Galway United preview – Four points gained during their past two LOI encounters. Therefore six points above the dreaded drop zone.
Galway United 2026 away form – 12 played, 2 wins, 4 draws, 6 defeats
Score prediction: Bohs on top 2-1.
*Odds subject to change – prices accurate at the time of writing*
