League of Ireland predictions: betting preview & free football tips

Free football tips, best bets and analysis for this weekend's League of Ireland Premier and Division One action.

When to bet

From 7.45pm Friday

Best bets

Under 2.5 goals in Derry City v Finn Harps 7.45pm
2pts 6-5 Paddy Power

UCD or draw double chance v Sligo Rovers 7.45pm
3pts 10-11 bet365

Athlone Town +2 on Asian Handicap v Galway United 7.45pm
5pts 1.825 bet365

League of Ireland betting preview

Derry City, still very much in the title race, host Finn Harps, desperately fighting the drop, in the northwest derby on Friday evening.

Derry are arguably the best team in the country at the moment and can close the gap on Shamrock Rovers, who were in Europa League action against Molde on Thursday night.

Since Mark Connolly signed, Derry have become really tough to score against. Nine of their last ten games have featured two goals or fewer and you can back a repeat showing at odds-against.

The big game of the night sees Stephen O'Donnell's Dundalk host the club he left in such messy circumstances last season, St Patrick's Athletic. Dundalk have had better preparation for this but they look far too short against Saints on recent form.

Dundalk remain vulnerable defensively since Connolly left, while Saints have plenty of pace if Tim Clancy looks to exploit that and there appears to be little value in the prices.

Sligo were poor against Shamrock Rovers last weekend and have nothing to play for, whereas a draw should be enough for UCD to go off the bottom.

They've been doing well of late and look value at Belfield against a team they have already beaten away from home this season.

Athlone look a great bet getting a two-goal start in a dead rubber for hosts Galway United at Terryland.

Galway have totally blown their hopes in the title race and made very hard work of beating Town when they last met but Town are much better now.

Since United last played Athlone, they have won one game from seven. Athlone's last five league games yielded a draw against Longford and wins over Cobh, Wexford and Treaty.

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