Shelbourne v Linfield

• Shelbourne have seen 31 goals across their 13 home games in the Premier Division this season (2.38 per game)

• Linfield saw 41 goals across their 16 away games in the Northern Irish Premiership during the 24/25 campaign (2.56 per game)

An intriguing Champions League qualifier clash sees Northern Irish side Linfield make the short trip to face Irish outfit Shelbourne in one of the most unique Champions League qualifying ties we’ve seen in recent years, and also one that offers a huge opportunity for the progression of Irish or Northern Irish football. 

⭐ Shelbourne v Linfield Predictions and Best Bets

Shelbourne are marginal favourites to come out on top here at 2.10 compared to Linfield who are priced at 3.40 to come away with a victory here. These odds suggest that the game will be quite tight and decided on fine margins. Shelbourne don’t have the strongest home record when looking over their games in the Premier Division - they’ve won just five of their 13 home games this season, losing four of these games. 

They have seen plenty of goals across these games which may be the best angle to back here. Shelbourne have seen 31 goals across their 13 home games in the Premier Division this season (2.38 per game). Linfield saw 41 goals across their 16 away games in the Northern Irish Premiership during the 24/25 campaign (2.56 per game) - they only lost one of these fixtures. 

🔴 Shelbourne Finding Form

Shelbourne have two advantages here in the first leg. The first of these advantages is that they will be playing as the home side for this initial encounter which gives them an opportunity to take something to protect when they contest the away leg in Northern Ireland next week. The second advantage is that they are in the middle of their domestic season so are likely to have that extra bit of match sharpness when compared to their opponents. 

Shelbourne are actually going through a bit of a difficult spell right now which may just see Linfield have the edge over the two legs. Shelbourne won the Irish Premier Division in 2024 but currently find themselves fifth in the league, 14 points off pace setters Shamrock Rovers. Their recent form shows more reason for optimism with just one loss from their last five matches. 

🔵 Linfield Opportunity

Linfield will see this as a real opportunity, not just for them to get one step closer to the Champions League, but as a chance to further the cause of Northern Irish football. No Northern Irish side has ever competed in the Champions League and only a few have ever featured in any sort of European competition so this would be a real milestone for the nation. 

Linfield will be optimistic of their chances across the two legs here, they won the Northern Irish Premiership last season and topped the Championship group that follows the regular campaign. They’ll be aware that Shelbourne are not quite clicking in the way they did last season at this moment but also know that their opponents here are likely to have a fitness advantage over the Northern Irish side which could come to the fore in the latter stages of the match. 

📊 Shelbourne v Linfield Head-to-Head Key Stats

This is the first ever meeting between these sides. 

Football Predictions at Andy's Bet Club

Andy's Bet Club is packed full of Expert Football Tips, we also have an easy-to-use Bet Builder Stats tool to help you conduct your own research. Look out for the latest Gem Bets and Club World Cup Predictions on ABC this week.

Check out this week's action with our UCL Qualifying Double, UCL Qualifying Corners Acca, plus UCL Qualifying Goals Acca. We also have coverage of the Club World Cup with a PSG v Real Madrid Betting Preview and PSG v Real Madrid Bet Builder Tips, and Quick Previews for Ludogorets v Minsk and England Women v Netherlands Women.

When backing our tips, you'll want to be doing so on the Top Bet Builder Sites and Best UK Sports Betting Sites. We also track the best offers, such as the Paddy Power Sign Up Offer and Betfair Sign Up Offer. There's a list of the latest New Bookmaker Offers here.

* I recommend waiting for confirmed team line-ups before placing any bets.

* All odds displayed correct at the time of publishing.