Shelbourne vs Sligo Rovers Prediction and Betting Tip - Odds, H2H and Preview Predictions

Shelbourne vs Sligo Rovers Preview

Sligo Rovers head into Friday’s Irish Premiership clash with Shelbourne looking to stop the rot. The visitors currently sit rock bottom of the table, eight points adrift from guaranteed safety, and worse still have won just 12 points from 16 games so far.

Meanwhile, Shelbourne will be looking to strengthen their mid-table position - the host sit sixth, and a win here could see them rise as high as fourth if St Patricks Athletic and Drogheda lose their respective games.

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 shown on League of Ireland TV, with kick-off scheduled for 19:45 on Friday evening.

Key Statistics

• Despite sitting four places and eleven points ahead of Sligo, Shelbourne have picked up fewer points (4) than their rivals (5) in their last five games.
• They have also failed to score in four of their last five matches, only netting in their 2-1 win over St Patricks Athletic.
• Although they sit bottom, Sligo have netted more goals than any bottom half side, with 20.
• However, their defensive record has seen them tumble down the standings, with their 30 goals conceded the worst figure in the league.

Shelbourne Preview

Shelbourne Predicted Lineup (4-4-2): Conor Kearns (GK); Kameron Ledwidge, James Norris, Tyreke Wilson, Sean Gannon; Kerr McInroy, Jonathan Lunney, Ellis Chapman, Evan Caffrey; Harry Wood, Ademipo Odubeko.

After a decent start to the season saw Shelbourne lose just one of their opening 12 fixtures, their form rapidly started to deteriorate at the beginning of April. Since then, they have won just one, lost three, and drawn another, starkly in contrast with their result in the opening weeks.

It seems they have suddenly forgotten how to put the ball in the net. Goalless in four of their last five, fans couldn’t have dreamed of such a goal drought at the start of the campaign, which saw their side score in 10 of their first 12.

This frustration has even leaked into their defensive position. Prior to their most recent outing against Grogheda, Shelbourne were shown two red cards against Bohemian FC, and although they only lost 1-0, it could have been far worse, and had it been so, morale would have plummeted further than it already has. They have to beat Sligo here if they are to build themselves a platform for the rest of the league season.

Sligo Rovers Preview

Sligo Rovers Predicted Lineup (4-2-3-1): Sam Sargeant (GK); Reece Hutchinson, Gareth McElroy, Conor Reynolds, John Mahon; Jake Doyle-Hayes, Matty Wolfe; William Fitzgerald, Owen Gelding, Cian Kavanagh; Jad Hakiki.

It’s pretty safe to say Sligo fans will be less than pleased with their team at the moment. Rovers have sat bottom of the league since the sixth game of the season, and until recently, showed no intention of ever vacating it.

However, their last five games have been cause for cautious optimism, with their latest outing in particular providing hope. Sligo managed a win and a clean sheet against eighth place Galway United, both of which have been rare occurrences in 2024/25.

Draws against Cork and Drogheda had shown that their team could still be competitive, but the win against Galway, just their third of the season, allowed their fans to leave the Eamonn Deacy Park with the heads held high for once.

Shelbourne vs Sligo Rovers Head to Head

Recent Meetings:

• 28/03/2025: Sligo 1-2 Shelbourne.
• 27/09/2024: Shelbourne 0-0 Sligo.
• 10/08/2024: Sligo 2-1 Shelbourne.
• 31/05/2024: Shelbourne 1-2 Sligo.
• 01/03/2024: Sligo 1-0 Shelbourne.

Shelbourne vs Sligo Rovers Betting Tip

Despite their overall lack of defensive solidity, Sligo have conceded just six in their last five, compared to eleven in the previous five. They are clearly sorting out their defensive shape, and that could cause problems for Shelbourne.

Our experts have decided that the best tip for this fixture is to back both sides being level at half time. Odds on Quinnbet of 2.3 mean a bet of £10 would return £23.

Shelbourne vs Sligo Rovers Prediction

Shelbourne 1-1 vs Sligo Rovers

It looks as if Sligo Rovers’ return to form will continue here, and a draw could be enough to take them off the foot of the table if Cork City fail to pick up a result at Galway United.