League of Ireland predictions: betting preview and free football tips

Free football tips, best bets and analysis for this weekend's League of Ireland matches.

Best bets

St Patrick's draw no bet
5pts 13-10 BoyleSports

Shamrock Rovers -1 on handicap
3pts 4-6 BoyleSports

Preview

It is hard to see why Dundalk are so short at home to St Patrick's on Saturday evening.

Dundalk have lost both of their home games so far and Saints' only dropped points came when they went close to winning at champions Shamrock Rovers.

They have developed into a side capable of giving it a go in the title race this season, while Dundalk clearly have questions to answer.

The Lilywhites should move up the table in due course but, even when Pat's were a fair amount worse last season than they are now, the Louth outfit were unable to get a victory against Stephen O'Donnell's men in the league.

Friday's TV game sees Drogheda visit Derry, who are yet to pick up a point, at Brandywell. This is a tough one to call, but Derry look better than their results suggest and they might offer a bit of value.

The north-west derby between Sligo Rovers and Finn Harps looks priced about right but Shamrock Rovers are a fine bet giving up a goal on the handicap against Longford Town in Tallaght, fresh from Graham Burke's wonder goal in Derry.

Town are a plucky side but there's little doubt they will struggle to muster any real possession in the match and they have shipped six goals in their last two games, which does not augur well against a side already looking a cut above pretty much everyone else.

Bohemians should get the job done in Waterford but the prices reflect that.