Shelbourne v Waterford FC Prediction
Verified 26/10/2026.
Shelbourne v Waterford FC Betting Tips
Selections suggested by our editorial team
Shelbourne or draw
Our model makes this a 75% shot, and it is the right way to play Shelbourne. Shelbourne are unbeaten in their last five, winning four, and they have won 6 of the last 10 meetings with Waterford. Their home record of 4W 5D 8L is the reason we want the draw on our side as well.
Waterford FC +2
This wins if Waterford win, draw or lose by a single goal. A Shelbourne win by two or more loses, and exactly two is settled as the handicap draw. Nine of the last 10 meetings finished inside one goal, the only exception a 3-1 back in 2024, and our predicted 2-1 lands it.
Both teams to score: Yes
Goals at both ends are the house style for these two. Shelbourne have seen both teams score in 71% of their league games, and Waterford in 63% of theirs. Waterford have scored 11 in their last five, while Shelbourne have shipped five in theirs. With Lonergan and Amond up front, we expect Waterford to find the net.
Verified 26/10/2026.
UpcomingShelbourne v Waterford FC Betting Odds
Match result
Total
Other lines (7)
Handicap
Other lines (3)
Odds can change. Check the sportsbook for the latest odds before you bet.
Shelbourne v Waterford FC Key Stats
Verified 26/10/2026.
Shelbourne v Waterford FC Recent Form
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Derry City2–2DVerified 26/10/2026.
Shelbourne v Waterford FC Standings
| Pos | Team | Pl | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Last 5 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1, Champions League qualifying | Shamrock Rovers | 35 | 20 | 8 | 7 | 58 | 35 | +23 | 68 | WWWLW |
| 2, Conference League qualifying | Bohemians | 35 | 18 | 8 | 9 | 60 | 42 | +18 | 62 | WWLWL |
| 3, Conference League qualifying | St Patrick's Athletic | 35 | 17 | 9 | 9 | 53 | 28 | +25 | 60 | WWLLD |
| 4 | ShelbourneHome Shelbourne is the home team in this article. | 35 | 12 | 13 | 10 | 50 | 47 | +3 | 49 | WDWWW |
| 5 | Derry City | 35 | 11 | 14 | 10 | 48 | 45 | +3 | 47 | DWLWW |
| 6 | Galway United | 35 | 10 | 12 | 13 | 46 | 51 | −5 | 42 | LDWLD |
| 7 | Dundalk | 35 | 10 | 12 | 13 | 52 | 58 | −6 | 42 | LLLDL |
| 8 | Waterford FCAway Waterford FC is the away team in this article. | 35 | 9 | 13 | 13 | 51 | 59 | −8 | 40 | DLLWW |
| 9, Relegation play-off | Drogheda United | 35 | 9 | 10 | 16 | 42 | 57 | −15 | 37 | WLLWL |
| 10, Relegation | Sligo Rovers | 35 | 5 | 9 | 21 | 26 | 64 | −38 | 24 | LLLDL |
Verified 26/10/2026.
Shelbourne v Waterford FC Head-to-Head
Last 10 meetings
Verified 26/10/2026.
Shelbourne v Waterford FC Team News
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Ali CooteServes a red card suspension, taking two goals and two assists out of Shelbourne's squad.Verified 26/10Suspended
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Finlay ArmstrongOut injured. With no figures logged for him this season, Waterford's back four stays intact.Verified 26/10Injury
Verified 26/10/2026.
Shelbourne and Waterford FC Match Preview
This Friday, our soccer predictions favour the home side taking all three points. We predict Shelbourne will beat Waterford 2-1 after 90 minutes. Our model gives the hosts a 52% chance of winning, over double the visitors’ 25%. A draw is the least likely scenario at 23%.
Shelbourne are one of the most in-form sides in the Premier Division. They have won four of their last five, with the only blip coming as a draw. They have scored 12 in that run, and might be showing the form needed to turn their home record around. The hosts have won 4 out of 17 home games this season.
The poor showing in front of an expectant home crowd is why our online sportsbook has the odds closer than expected. Our top tip is to bet on a double chance. It offers more cover as it wins even if it ends a draw.
Waterford have strung together two strong performances, beating Drogheda 3-1 and Galway 3-2. Both results came at home, which is why they enter this fixture as underdogs. Travelling has been a consistent issue this campaign, with 3 wins from 17 away games. They concede an average of 2.18 goals per game on the road, presenting an opportunity for over/under betting.
The recent head-to-heads show a clear favourite. Shelbourne have won 6 of the last 10 meetings. However, only one of the last ten ended with a win by more than one goal. Waterford won the most recent fixture on August 1-0, but we don’t think they will make it two from two. A handicap bet on Waterford +2 wins as long as the visitors stay within a goal at the final whistle.
Football betting fans will know the history between these sides. But what you might not know is the stats over the entire season. 60% of Shelbourne’s games clear 2.5 goals. Waterford share a similar stat, with over 2.5 goals scored in 51% of their games. Shelbourne traditionally dominate possession, averaging 53% across the season, while Waterford sit on just 39%. However, the shooting stats suggest they are effective on the counter, with similar averages between the sides.
That being said, we don’t expect a clean game. Shelbourne are without Ali Coote due to a red card suspension, and Daniel Kelly has 10 yellows so far this season. Together, they average 5.4 yellow cards per game, so this one could heat up as the match unfolds. Live betting on a red card later in this fixture could come up trumps.
The betting odds for this fixture are unlikely to change much. On the one hand, you have a strong home side that has struggled in front of their fans. But on the other, Waterford are one of the worst travelling teams in the division. Betting on Shelbourne to win by one goal is the most sensible option. However, a red card could change the game, opening up the opportunity for a draw or a late winner.
Shelbourne v Waterford FC Key Players
Season figures, 2026.
Harry Wood has 10 league goals, joint seventh in the division, plus five assists, and he has done it in just 2015 minutes. That is a fifth of Shelbourne's 50 goals, and he is their best bet to punish a Waterford side that leaks late on.
Daniel Kelly is the creator, with six assists, joint sixth in the league, alongside eight goals of his own. He also has 10 yellow cards, the most in the Shelbourne squad, which makes him worth a look in the booking markets.
Tommy Lonergan is the league's top scorer with 15 goals, and he adds seven assists, joint third in the division. Between him and Padraig Amond on 14, Waterford have 29 of their 51 goals, which is why we trust them to score here.
Benny Couto plays from defence yet leads the division with 11 assists. He has logged 2804 minutes, 17th most in the league, and his delivery feeds Lonergan and Amond. Cut off Couto's supply and Waterford look far less dangerous.
Verified 26/10/2026.
Shelbourne v Waterford FC Goals Per Match
Goals scored and conceded per match. Shelbourne: League of Ireland Premier Division · 2026 season · 35 matches; Waterford FC: League of Ireland Premier Division · 2026 season · 35 matches.
Verified 26/10/2026.
Shelbourne v Waterford FC Goals by 15-Minute Period
Goals scored and conceded by period · shared scale across both panels.
Sample: League of Ireland Premier Division · 2026 season · 35 matches per club.
Verified 26/10/2026.
Shelbourne v Waterford FC Shots and Possession
Attacking volume, efficiency and control of possession.
Sample: League of Ireland Premier Division · 2026 season · 35 matches per club.
Verified 26/10/2026.
Shelbourne v Waterford FC Goal Lines and Both Teams to Score
Probability of clearing each goal line and of both teams scoring.
| Line | Shelbourne | Waterford FC | Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1.5 | 74% | 83% | 78% |
| 2.5 | 60% | 51% | 56% |
| 3.5 | 29% | 43% | 36% |
| Both teams score | 71% | 63% | 67% |
Sample: League of Ireland Premier Division · 2026 season · 35 matches per club.
Verified 26/10/2026.
Shelbourne v Waterford FC Discipline and Set Pieces
Match friction and corner volume, measured per match.
Sample: League of Ireland Premier Division · 2026 season · 35 matches per club.
Verified 26/10/2026.
Shelbourne v Waterford FC Runs and Trends
Numbers that capture each club's current form.
Sample: League of Ireland Premier Division · 2026 season · 35 matches per club.
Verified 26/10/2026.
League of Ireland Premier Division Fixtures
Shelbourne v Waterford FC Frequently Asked Questions
Shelbourne v Waterford FC kicks off on Friday 30 October 2026 at 19:45 (Ireland Time) at Tolka Park, in matchday 36 of the League of Ireland Premier Division.
The fixture is live on LOITV.
Our prediction leans towards Shelbourne: 52% to win, 25% for Waterford and 23% for the draw, with 2-1 to Shelbourne the likeliest score. Given their patchy home record, we prefer Shelbourne or draw at 75%.
Shelbourne are without Ali Coote, who is suspended after a red card. Waterford are missing defender Finlay Armstrong through injury. Neither side has any doubts listed.
Expect goals at both ends. Our predicted 2-1 means three, and the two clubs' over 2.5 shares average 56%. Both teams have scored in 71% of Shelbourne's games and 63% of Waterford's, so we back both teams to score.
