Cork City vs Shelbourne Prediction and Betting Tip - Odds, H2H and Preview Predictions

Cork City vs Shelbourne Preview

An out of form Cork City host Shelbourne on Friday knowing that failing to win could see them slump to the bottom of the Irish Premiership for the first time this season.

The home side side joint bottom with Sligo Rovers, sitting above their rivals only thanks to a one goal difference, and with the bottom ranked side taking on an out of from St Patricks on the same day, Cork know they will need to muster up a gutsy performance to stay off the bottom of the pile.

Away side Shelbourne come into this game significantly happier, losing just one of their last four. Last time out, a John Martin hat trick proved enough to cancel out a battling Sligo, ensuring that Shelbourne remained sixth and just a point off the top three.

As the game approaches, here is everything you need to know about both sides ahead of kick-off.

Where to Watch

This game will be broadcasted on League of Ireland TV, with kick-off scheduled for 19:45 on Friday.

Key Statistics

• Despite being winless in six games, Cork have found the back of the net eight times in that period, compared to Shelbournes five.
• However, their defence has been letting them down - they have conceded 12 goals in those six games, while Shelbourne have shipped seven.
• Just three points separate Shelbourne in sixth to Drogheda United in second - the top three battle promises to be a close one this season.
• Shelbourne are averaging the most possession per game of any Irish team this season, controlling the ball for roughly 60% of each game.

Cork City Preview

Cork City Predicted Lineup (4-3-3): Tein Troost (GK); Darragh Crowley, Charlie Lyons, Freddie Anderson, Milan Mbeng; Rio Shipston, Evan McLaughlin, Sean Murray; Joshua Fitzpatrick, Djenairo Daniels, Cathal O’Sullivan.

Cork need something to change. They have just two league wins from 17 games, the least in the league, and their 30 goals conceded is beaten only by bottom of the table rivals Sligo. Safe to say this campaign has not gone to plan so far.

It is mainly down to Gerard Nash’s refusal to move away from the 4-3-3 formation. While the two lines of three provide excellent support in attack, underlined by their good attacking record, the set up also leaves them significantly short of men at the back, particularly after turnover high up the pitch.

As you can see by the predicted lineup, we don’t think Nash will move away from his favoured system, but we also believe that for Cork to reignite their survival chances, they will need to experiment at some point.

Shelbourne Preview

Shelbourne Predicted Lineup (5-3-2): Lorcan Healy (GK); Evan Caffrey, Tyreke Wilson, Kameron Ledwidge, Mark Coyle, John O’Sullivan; Kerr McInroy, Jonathan Lunney, Ellis Chapman; Harry Wood, John Martin.

After a turbulent run of form over the last month or so, Shelbourne, and coach Damian Duff, will be glad to have found a certain amount of continuity and consistency in recent games. Prior to the win over Sligo, they had won just one of their last eight games.

However, with their most recent game also being a win, that agenda can be turned on its head to make it two wins and a draw in their last four, a record sounding more respectable and deserving of competing for a top three spot.

Playing against a side in virtually the same position as Sligo, Shelbourne will bring growing confidence into this one, and posed with the same calibre of opposition as Sligo, should be able to emerge with a result.

Cork City vs Shelbourne Head to Head

Recent Meetings:

• 14/03/2025: Shelbourne 1-1 Cork.
• 22/09/2023: Shelbourne 2-1 Cork.
• 28/07/2023: Cork 0-2 Shelbourne.
• 28/04/2023: Shelbourne 2-1 Cork.
• 17/03/2023: Cork 0-2 Shelbourne.

Cork City vs Shelbourne Betting Tip

With their rotten defence combining with a suddenly in-for Shelbourne, Cork City look to be in for a rough one here. It is one thing coming up a fellow relegation rivals in a bid to turn your form around. It is another task entirely to face-off with a top three hopeful just as they hit their stride.

That is why our experts have decided that the best tip for this game is to back Shelbourne to win. Odds of 1.88 on Highbet mean that a £10 bet would return almost £19 should the bet win.

Cork City vs Shelbourne Prediction

Cork City 0-2 Shelbourne

While proceedings against Sligo Rovers were tight to the very end, Cork City should be a more straightforward opponent for Shelbourne. Should they come away with a victory, they could move as high as second, but a host of results would have to go in their favour.