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.
Dublin continues to lead the way approaching another appetising League of Ireland fixture programme. Elsewhere, the bottom two sides have shown some improvement in attempting to catch teams above them.
Here are the upcoming pairings alongside my considered score predictions to assist your football betting…
Derry City v Waterford
- The Ryan McBride Brandywell Stadium
- Kick-off: 7.45pm
- Rankings: 6th versus 10th
Derry City preview – Derry celebrated returning to Brandywell Stadium last Friday in dispatching visitors Drogheda United 2-0 on the freshly laid grass-hybrid pitch.
This followed a short tenure nearby at Find Insurance Celtic Park GAA stadium (Páirc na gCeilteach). The result eased pressure on boss Tiernan Lynch. Significantly though, they’ve drawn 11 of 24 LOI games so far.
Derry City 2026 home form – 12 played, 5 wins, 5 draws, 2 defeats
Waterford preview – The worst away performers earning a solitary 2026 road trip victory but that surprised me by arriving 3-2 at Dundalk last time out having been 2-0 behind.
Waterford are three points adrift filling bottom place yet won two of their past three outings. They turned down a domestic record €180,000 bid this week for striker Tommy Lonergan from Friday’s opponents Derry City.
Waterford 2026 away form – 11 played, 1 win, 2 draws, 8 defeats
Score prediction: Derry dominant 4-1.
Drogheda United v Bohemians
- Sullivan & Lambe Park
- Kick-off: 7.45pm
- Rankings: 8th versus 2nd
Drogheda United preview – Currently protecting five unbeaten matches at home. However, Drogs precariously hover two points clear of the dreaded danger zone reflecting a seven game winless sequence.
Drogheda United 2026 home form – 11 played, 3 wins, 5 draws, 3 defeats
Bohemians preview – Two straight victories see Bohs seven points off the summit thereby overturning two losses. They boast the best away record in this division amassing 23 points.
Bohemians 2026 away form – 12 played, 7 wins, 2 draws, 3 defeats
Score prediction: Bohs buzzing 3-2.
Shelbourne v Dundalk
- Tolka Park
- Kick-off: 7.45pm
- Rankings: 5th versus 4th
Shelbourne preview – Three without victory. Club under-20’s head coach Lorcan Fitzgerald oversaw last Saturday’s 2-2 draw at Sligo Rovers after head coach Joey O’Brien was sacked.
Furthermore, Shels nurse the division’s worst home record mustering just 11 points all season at Tolka Park.
Shelbourne 2026 home form – 12 played, 2 wins, 5 draws, 5 defeats
Dundalk preview – Three points below the top three. The aforementioned shock 3-2 home reverse against Waterford ended five unconquered engagements in Dundalk’s push for European qualification.
Left-back Trevor Clarke has transferred from Shamrock Rovers penning an 18 month contract.
Dundalk 2026 away form – 11 played, 3 wins, 6 draws, 2 defeats
Score prediction: Shocking 0-0.
St Patrick’s Athletic v Galway United
- Richmond Park
- Kick-off: 7.45pm
- Rankings: 3rd versus 7th
St Patrick’s Athletic preview – Nine points behind pole position holding two games in hand. Although title hopes were hampered via the Dublin derby 2-0 setback at Bohemians last Friday.
St Patrick’s Athletic 2026 home form – 11 played, 8 wins, 1 draw, 2 defeats
Galway United preview – One victory across five attempts leaving the Tribesmen four points ahead of those much feared bottom two slots. Boosted by the signing this week of winger Dylan Connolly who most recently played for Glentoran. Connolly is in line for his debut on Friday.
Galway United 2026 away form – 11 played, 2 wins, 4 draws, 5 defeats
Score prediction: Pats precise 3-0.
Sligo Rovers v Shamrock Rovers
- The Showgrounds
- Kick-off: 7.45pm
- Rankings: 9th versus 1st
Sligo Rovers preview – The 2-2 home scoreline against Shelbourne arrested three successive defeats. Sligo are two points shy of eighth placed survival due to four matches lacking victories.
Sligo Rovers 2026 home form – 11 played, 3 wins, 3 draws, 5 defeats
Shamrock Rovers preview – The leaders enjoy a seven point buffer. Only one defeat during six games for the Tallaght men. Highly rated 18 year old defender Seán Murphy has signed from UCD.
Shamrock Rovers 2026 away form – 12 played, 5 wins, 3 draws, 4 defeats
Score prediction: Pulsating 3-3.
*Odds subject to change – prices accurate at the time of writing*
