Linfield v Shelbourne: Lineups, Predictions & Betting Tips Predictions

Linfield v Shelbourne Predictions, Lineups & Betting Tips

Match Details: Aug 28, 2025 | Windsor Park | UEFA Conference League Qualifier Play-off, second leg | 20:00 GMT

Ahead of the fourth meeting between the pair in just over a month the current outright scoreline reads, Shelbourne two wins, one draw and no Linfield victories. Should that trend continue for just 90 more minutes and it is the League of Ireland champions who will claim their place in the group stages and all the riches that go with that.

Shelbourne thought they had seen the last of the Blues when they dumped the Northern Irish champions out of the Champions League qualifiers in the very first round but UEFA's complicated path has brought the two rivals back to face each other again. Last week's first leg in Dublin is best described as being utterly bonkers.

There were three penalties awarded, only one scored, a red card and an almighty Linfield fightback. The game looked over as a contest when Shelbourne, a man up after just twenty minutes, went 2-0 up shortly after the half time interval, but credit to Linfield they kept plugging away and got back into the game through Kieran Offord's goal on 53 minutes. Just ten minutes later, Offord missed a penalty to bring the Blues level after Paddy Barrett handled the ball on the goal line, yet he was only shown a yellow card.

Shelbourne made the most of that reprieve when substitute Evan Caffrey restored the Reds two goal advantage just over ten minutes from time and with a 3-1 lead ahead of the trip to Belfast, Joey O'Brien's men are now hot favourites to advance.

Key Betting Tip: Shelbourne Double Chance @ 1.65 (Ladbrokes) - Linfield are yet to get the better of Shelbourne in this Euro campaign and with plenty of opportonuities likely on the break, the Reds should fancy another result here.

Linfield v Shelbourne Predicted Lineups

Linfield Predicted XI: Johns; McGee, Hall, Roscoe, Shields, Millar, Archer, McClean, East, Fitzpatrick, Offord.

Shelbourne Predicted XI: Speel, Coyle, Barrett, Bone, Mbeng, Lunney, McInroy, Norris, Wood, Martin, Odubeko.

Linfield vs Shelbourne Last 5 H2H

21/08/25 Shelbourne 3-1 Linfield (UECL) 16/07/25 Linfield 1-1 Shelbourne (UCL) 09/07/25 Shelbourne 1-0 Linfield (UCL) 20/03/06 Shelbourne 0-0 Linfield (Setanta Sports Cup) 21/05/06 Shelbourne 0-2 Linfield (Setanta Sports Cup)

Having gone almost two decades without meeting, Shelbourne and Linfield are now set to do battle for the fourth time in roughly six weeks with Linfield still searching for that illusive win over the League of Ireland champions in Europe.

Recent Linfield v Shelbourne Matches Analysis

It's been clear acropss the recent three encounters that technically, Shelbourne are the superior team. However, the Reds seem to have it within their ability to make sloppy mistakes at key moments that often aren't punished by Linfield. If Shelbourne can limit such errors, they should have the class to see their way safely through this tie.

The bigger Windsor Park pitxh also lends itself to counter attacking opportunities with the pace of Mipo Odubeko likely to be exploited by the visitors as Linfield pile bodies forward in an effort to het back into the tie.

Linfield Last 5 Matches:

Linfield 1-0 Cliftonville (NIFL) Shelbourne 3-1 Linfield (UECL) Linfield 2-0 Vikingur (UECL) Linfield 3-0 Dungannon (NIFL) Vikingur 2-1 Linfield (UECL)

Linfield bounced back from their Dublin defeat with a crucial league win at the weekend. The Northern Irish Premiership has only just begun so the fact Shelbourne were able to take the weekend off while Linfield played shouldn't be too great a factor as a lack of match practice counted massively against Linfield in their first meeting with a match fit Shelbourne in July.

Linfield are coming on for the minutes week after week but they will need a quick start if they are to turn the tables in this tie.

Shelbourne Last 5 Matches:

Shelbourne 3-1 Linfield (UECL) St.Patrick's Athletic 2-0 Shelbourne (FAI Cup) Shelbourne 1-3 Rijeka (UEL) Shelbourne 2-2 Bohemians (LOI) Rijeka 1-2 Shelbourne (UEL)

The Reds were granted the weekend off by the league in order to prepare for this crucial tie. Shelbourne showed the levels they can hit during their win away to the Criatian champiobs Rijeka and if they can hit those heights again during the short trip to Belfast, they'll have too much for Linfield.

Linfield v Shelbourne Predictions

Our advanced algorithm analyses over 200 data points to generate these predictions with 40% confidence in a draw. The model factors in current form, head-to-head records, player availability, and tactical matchups.

Best Linfield v Shelbourne Betting Tips

Football Park’s Best Bet: Over 1.5 goals @ 1.33 - Our team of in-house betting tipsters have predicted over 1.5 goals in this fixture with 85% confidence in the selection.

Key Players to Watch: Linfield v Shelbourne

Harry Wood (Shelbourne): The former Hull man is already a Shelbourne legend having scored the goal that won them the title last season but he can enhance his reputation further by helping the Reds to qualify for the group stages. Wood is Shels most gifted player on the ball and scored from the spot last week. The midfielder should thrive in the open surrounds of Windsor Park.

Mipo Odubeko: (Shelbourne): The former West Ham striker can be a frustrating sort, as displayed by his missed penalty last week, but he's a bundle of energy and his pace should be a huge asset to Shelbourne with Linfield needing to chase this game.

Kieran Offord (Linfield): The Blues striker has scored six times in Linfield's last four games, including a hat-trick against Dungannon.

Linfield v Shelbourne Match Facts

Referee: Julian Weinberger (Austria): 40 year-old referee, who has sent off one player for two cautions after just two games in Austria this season.

Broadcast Details:

UK: BBC NI Ireland: Premier Sports

Stadium Information: Windsor Park - The Northern Ireland National Team Stadium that also serves as the home of Linfield with a capacit of 18,500.