Raphael Durand
Dailysports's expert
One of the matches of the 21st round of the Irish Premier Division will take place on Monday at the Waterford arena, where the local side Waterford United will host Shelbourne. I’m offering a pick on the outcome of this clash with a strong value on the odds.
Match preview
John Coleman’s team has been riding a real football rollercoaster lately—a win over Bohemians (2-1) brought optimism, but overall instability remains the Achilles’ heel of the squad. In ten home matches, Waterford have managed just four wins and suffered five defeats, which speaks volumes about their struggles under the pressure of their own stands. Defensively, the woes continue: 32 goals conceded this season is among the worst records in the league.
Coleman’s tactical approach is built around solid defending and sharp transitions into attack, but in practice this often stutters due to personnel issues and mistakes in positional defense. Nevertheless, Waterford can still surprise opponents thanks to the pace and individual brilliance of their wide players—especially at home, where the crowd demands attacking football. That’s why you can’t underestimate the hosts, even with Shelbourne’s higher standing.
Damien Duff’s side are enjoying a more balanced campaign: the team sits mid-table and essentially plays the role of a dark horse capable of troubling the favorites. A recent defeat to Derry City (0-1) cooled their ambitions a bit, but overall Shelbourne consistently pick up points—especially on the road (three wins, five draws, and just two losses away from home). Duff’s main strength is a clear game structure and a focus on defensive discipline, which has seen his team concede just 23 goals all season.
However, turning draws into victories remains an issue—nine stalemates in 22 rounds shows that in tight matches, Shelbourne often can’t finish off their opponents. Against Waterford, who have nothing to lose, the visitors should use their organizational edge and greater experience. If they take their chances, Shelbourne are more than capable of leaving the Southeast with three points and solidifying their place in the top six.
Probable lineups
- Waterford: McMullan S. (gk), Leahy D., Dempsey J., Horton G., Burke R., Olayinka J., MacDonald D., Glenfield S., Lonergan T., Amond P. (c), Noonan K.
- Shelbourne: Kearns C. (gk), Bone S., Barrett P. (c), Ledwidge C., Norris J., Lanni J., Caffrey E., McEnroe C., Boyd S., Wood H., Martin J.
Match facts and head-to-head
- In their last five meetings, Shelbourne have won four times, with Waterford claiming just one victory.
- In the most recent clash between the sides, Waterford surprisingly won 1-0.
- Both clubs have shown decent attacking form, making a bet on both teams to score a logical choice.
Prediction
This promises to be a tense and intriguing encounter: Waterford will be fighting for points, spurred on by their home supporters, but Shelbourne look the more mature and reliable outfit. The visitors know how to play away from home and should be able to break down an inconsistent opponent. Our pick here is "Shelbourne to win with 0 handicap (DNB)" at odds of 1.80.
