We have a Shelbourne v Linfield prediction for you, plus a breakdown of the betting odds, team news and matchups ahead of their huge Champions League qualifier.
Shelbourne are currently 5th in the League of Ireland, with them earning their first win under Joey O’Brien last weekend when they defeated Cork City 3-1.
Linfield are currently in their Domestic Pre-Season and most recently lost the NIFL Charity Shield against Dungannon Swifts 3-5 on penalties.
How To Watch Shelbourne v Linfield
When is Shelbourne v Linfield?
Shelbourne v Linfield will take place on Wednesday at 7:45 pm.
TV Channel
RTÉ 2
Where is Shelbourne v Linfield Being Played?
Tolka Park
Shelbourne v Linfield Odds
Team | Odds | Chance |
|---|---|---|
Shelbourne | EVS | 50% |
Linfield | 13/5 | 27.8% |
Draw | 11/5 | 31.3% |
Shelbourne are favourites with odds of EVS per the latest football odds at BoyleSports.
*Odds are accurate at time of publishing but subject to change
Linfield are currently priced as 13/5 outsiders to win, while the draw is an 11/5 shot.
*Odds are accurate at time of publishing but subject to change
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Handicap Betting
Shelbourne: -1 - 16/5
Linfield +1 @ 7/10
Handicap Draw -1 @ 13/5
Bet on Football Odds at BoyleSports
Shelbourne v Linfield Preview
Shelbourne’s Form
The 2025 Premier Division Champions, Shelbourne, have had a less-than-ideal defence of their title this season with just 35 points from their opening 25 games. By the same stage last season, Shelbourne had 48 points and were 4 clear at the top of the table. This ropey title defence led to the departure of enigmatic figure Damien Duff from the dugout, though he’s now been replaced by his former right-hand man, Joey O’Brien.
Ironically, while watching Shelbourne last season under Duff, it seemed to me that despite their title success, they were a team which would be far better suited to playing in Europe the following season. Robust, well-coached and defensively solid, though the wheels have slowed in 2025, and Duff is now gone. Joey O’Brien was a huge influence in that title success, and so I still expect them to have an excellent European Run. Their spine is experienced and well set up to perform in Europe with Kearns, Barrett and Lunney all centrally.
Their latest success came 3-1 against Cork City after two goals in the opening ten minutes from Wood and Odubeko, the clincher came in the 83rd minute through Lunney. They dominated and controlled the game, never really needing to go up the gears, though it should be noted that they looked somewhat ropey at the back at times.
Shelbourne’s Last Five Results
Shelbourne 3-1 Cork City | July 4th | Win
Galway United 1-1 Shelbourne | June 27th | Draw
Waterford 2-2 Shelbourne | June 23rd | Draw
Shelbourne 0-1 Derry City | June 20th | Loss
St Patrick’s Athletic 0-1 Shelbourne | June 16th | Win
2 Wins, 2 Draws and 1 Loss
Linfield’s Form
Linfield returned to the summit of the NIFL Premiership last season following two unsuccessful seasons where they finished runners-up behind Larne. They did so in a comprehensive fashion, too, winning the league before the Championship/Relegation split and eventually finishing 22 points ahead of closest challengers Larne. Remarkably, this was the 6th time David Healy (45) had brought success to the club, a remarkable feat for such a young manager.
While there’s very little in the Linfield squad when it comes to “big names” that people who do not regularly follow the NIFL Premiership may know, there remains quality in the squad. Captain Mulgrew (39) has been a mainstay at the club for two decades playing well north of 700 games, McGee (22) and Orr (18) who have caught admiring glances from abroad and even striker Fitzpatrick (30) and Offord (21) who were consistent goalscorers at club level last season.
One of the major bridges for this Linfield side to bear if they’re to overcome Shelbourne is the fact that they’re still in pre-season. They opened it with a 4-0 win over Haverfordwest County on the 28th of June, and most recently lost in the NIFL Charity Shield Final 3-5 on penalties after the sides played out a scoreless draw.
Linfield’s Last Five Results
Linfield 0-0 Dungannon Swifts | July 4th | Draw
Linfield 4-0 Haverfordwest County | June 28th | Win
Coleraine 1-0 Linfield | April 26th | Loss
Larne 2-1 Linfield | April 18th | Loss
Linfield 2-0 Dungannon Swifts | April 12th | Win
2 Wins, 2 Losses and 1 Draw
Shelbourne v Linfield Predicted Lineups
Shelbourne Predicted Starting XI (3-4-3)
GK: Kearns
RCB: Coyle, CB: Barrett, LCB: Ledwidge
RM: Caffrey, CM: Lunney, CM: McInroy, LM: Norris
RW: Wood, CF: Odubeko, LW: Coote
Linfield Predicted Starting XI( 4-2-3-1)
GK: Johns
RB: East, CB: Hall, CB: Orr, LB: McGee
CM: Allen, CM: Mulgrew
RW: Archer, AM: Millar, LW: Morrison
CF: Fitzpatrick
Shelbourne v Linfield Head-To-Head Results & Stats
All-Time Head-to-Head Record
Shelbourne wins: 0
Linfield wins: 2
Draws: 1
Head-To-Head Results
Shelbourne 0-0 Linfield | Setanta Cup | March 3rd, 2006
Linfield 2-0 Shelbourne | Setanta Cup | March 13th, 2006
Shelbourne 0-2 Linfield | Setanta Cup | May 21st, 2005
Key Players To Watch
Mipo Odubeko – Shelbourne
Former Ireland U21 Odubeko (22) returned to the island last December in a relatively high-profile move into the LOI following spells in Man United, West Ham academies a gluttony of unsuccessful loans He returned with a point to prove and reputation to get back and while he has 7 goals and 1 assist in 25 games so far you get the impression there’s more to come from him.
Odubeko has unbelievable pace, is athletic and tactically astute, it’s only a matter of time before he starts replicating his explosive goal-scoring record from youth level.
Matthew Fitzpatrick - Linfield
The primary threat for Linfield on Wednesday Night will likely be Fitzpatrick (30), who seems to be getting better with age and in the 24/25 season for the club, he scored 16 goals and assisted 11 from 39 games in all competitions.
Fitzpatrick leads the line with physicality, sharp finishing and intelligent hold-up play, which brings his teammates into the game.
Shelbourne v Linfield Prediction & Best Bet
Prediction: Shelbourne 2-0 Linfield
Shelbourne received a blow with the departure of Duff, but they still retain considerable quality, and with Joey O’Brien staying, it’s likely to be a similar style of performance, familiarity and with a little more freshness in the short to medium term.
Linfield will be well up for this game; the problem will be whether they can match the fitness levels of Shelbourne, who are further along in their season.
Shelbourne play at a higher level more consistently and should be at a far sharper fitness level, so I think EVS is an exceptional value play for them to win.
Best Bet: Shelbourne - EVS
*Odds are accurate at time of publishing but subject to change
Bet on Football Odds at BoyleSports
*Prices are subject to fluctuation.
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