Cork City’s First Division campaign begins amid expectations of an instant return to the top flight. With Derry City hosting newly promoted Dundalk and Treaty United visiting Turners Cross, we break down the key fixtures and best bets for Week 2 of the 2026 League of Ireland season.
The League of Ireland is back for 2026, and Kieran Burke returns with his weekly LOI betting column for BAR 1 Betting. After finishing last season with a level-stakes profit, the LOI TV commentator previews Matchday 1, with Derry City tipped to start fast following a strong winter and the return of James McClean, alongside betting value elsewhere in the Premier Division.
BAR 1 Betting has become the first bookmaker to release outright betting on the 2026 SSE Airtricity Men’s Premier Division, with Shamrock Rovers installed as early 5/4 favourites. View the latest League of Ireland title odds and see how the chasing pack stacks up ahead of the new season.
League of Ireland Betting Tips – The Finish Line in Sight
The finish line is fast approaching, yet nothing is decided in the 2025 League of Ireland campaign. For the second week running, Shamrock Rovers missed the chance to clinch the title, suffering another Dublin derby defeat away to St. Pat’s. The Hoops can still secure a fifth league crown in six years by picking up a point away to Derry City on Sunday.
Elsewhere, the battle for European qualification and the relegation fight remain finely balanced. Monday’s draw between Bohemians and St. Pat’s leaves just one point separating those two sides and Drogheda United in the race for fourth, while Galway United, Sligo Rovers and Waterford FC are level on points as the scrap to avoid the relegation play-off goes down to the wire.
After another profitable week — taking the season’s overall profit/loss to +8.84 — LOI TV commentator and Between the Stripes LOI Podcast host Kieran Burke has put together his latest League of Ireland betting tips, featuring a near 5/1 treble for the penultimate round of fixtures.
Check out this week’s LOI predictions and best bets below.
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