Shelbourne vs FK Qarabag Predictions

• Shelbourne are unbeaten in their last 11 European home fixtures (W6, D5)
• The Reds have not lost any of their six matches under head coach Joey O’Brien
• Qarabag have lost four of their last five away matches in Europe

O’Brien getting a tune out of Shelbourne

After winning the League of Ireland Premier Division title in 2024, things have not gone as smoothly for Shelbourne this year, as they are off the pace domestically and last month saw title-winning boss Damien Duff depart.

Duff’s replacement, Joey O’Brien, has at least been able to steady the ship, as the Reds are unbeaten in their six matches under the former Bolton and West Ham defender, a run that includes seeing off Linfield in the first round of Champions League qualifying.

Shelbourne have won both their home fixtures under O’Brien and they also have an impressive record in European matches on Irish soil.

Hosts to extend impressive home record in Europe

They may not be a European powerhouse, but Shelbourne are unbeaten in their last 11 home fixtures in continental competition, winning six of those, with their last such defeat coming against Olimpija Ljubljana in qualifying for the 2003-04 UEFA Cup.

That impressive record will give the Irish champions hope, as will the knowledge that opponents Qarabag have lost four of their last five European away games.

This will also be the Azerbaijani champions first competitive match of the season – in contrast Shelbourne have played 25 games in the League of Ireland alone – and while there is unlikely to be too much between the sides, the more in-tune hosts are fancied to edge to a narrow 2-1 success.