Shelbourne vs Linfield Predictions

• Linfield have lost seven of their last nine away games in Europe, drawing twice
• Shelbourne are unbeaten under new boss Joey O’Brien
• The hosts picked up impressive results at home in Europe last term

Hope for Shels after Duff drama

Damien Duff guided Shelbourne back into Europe after an 18-year wait, before taking them to the Irish title last term. However, the former Ireland international left the club suddenly last month, just weeks shy of their first Champions League tie since 2005.

Just as they did 20 years ago, the Shels begin their Champions League campaign with a clash against the champions of Northern Ireland. Linfield wrestled back the title from upstarts Larne. The Blues will be aiming to emulate Larne’s European run, after they became the first Northern Irish side to progress through the qualifiers to reach the Conference League’s League Phase.

However, David Healy’s side have struggled on their travels in Europe. Since two-legged qualifiers were restored in 2021, Linfield have lost seven and drawn two of their nine trips. A 2-0 loss at Iceland’s Stjarnan helped eliminate them in the first round of Conference League qualifying last term.

Shelbourne are in the middle of a disappointing title defence, but there have been positive signs under former Bolton and West Ham man Joey O’Brien. The Shels have played a little freer in his first three games in charge, including a 3-1 win over Cork on Friday night.

Over the last four seasons, Linfield have suffered defeats at Luxembourg’s Fola Esch, Welsh side TNS, and Albania’s Vllaznia. Shelbourne beat St Joseph’s and drew with Swiss side Zurich in Europe last term, so expect them to have too much for the poor-travelling Blues.