In the Premier Division, Shelbourne will face Derry City at Tolka Park on June 20, 2025, with a kickoff scheduled for 20:45. As the title holders, Shelbourne is seated in 5th place with 30 points, keen on defending their crown. Hot on their heels, Derry City is in 6th with 28 points, trailing by a mere two points. This close chase in rankings promises a tightly contested match on the horizon.
Both teams have experienced a rollercoaster of form recently. Shelbourne’s leading scorer, Ademipo Odubeko, has netted four times, while Derry City’s Michael Duffy leads their scoring chart with six goals. In their last five matches, Shelbourne recorded two wins, one loss, and two draws, scoring a total of six goals and conceding five. Meanwhile, Derry City’s recent spell ended with one win, two defeats, and two draws, tallying five goals for and six against them. Remarkably, Derry failed to maintain a clean sheet during this period.
Their head-to-head records add another layer of complexity: the last five meetings saw each share two victories with one draw thrown in. Conditions for this match are expected to be mild, with temperatures around 22.5°C. Light rain and a wind speed of 5.4 m/s might influence a faster playing surface, offering an edge to teams skilled at swift passing.
With both teams showing offensive struggles recently, fans might see a low-scoring event. Managers Damien Duff for Shelbourne and Tiernan Lynch for Derry City are known for strong defenses, supporting the likelihood of fewer goals.
Shelbourne vs Derry City Prediction & Betting Tip
With these teams nestled comfortably in mid-table, and recent matches showing a lean towards low scores, expect tactical defense and weather to shape the game. Shelbourne achieved two clean sheets in their last five games, but Derry City hasn’t managed one. Their encounters often end with tight scores like 0-0, 1-0, or 2-0, highlighting minimal scoring.
The damp playing conditions may lead to cautious, ground-focused play because of the slick surface. With limited goal scorers outside of Duffy and Odubeko, expect a tight midfield clash with few shots on target. The betting markets are also leaning towards a low-scoring game.
| Recommended Bet | Odds |
|---|---|
| Under 2.5 goals | 1.55 |
Shelbourne vs Derry City Odds
Examining the odds shows a close contest without a clear favorite. The best recommendation is to bet on under 2.5 goals with odds of 1.55, reflecting both teams’ scoring stats and recent defenses. Shelbourne averages just over a goal per game, while Derry City’s defense has struggled to prevent goals.
Shelbourne’s defensive improvement under Duff makes a strong case for under-goal markets. Conversely, Derry City’s lack of clean sheets underlines the expected lack of goals. Their past encounters and potentially challenging pitch conditions enhance anticipation for a closely fought game.
| Market | Odds |
|---|---|
| Under 2.5 goals | 1.55 |
Shelbourne Team Analysis
Shelbourne Recent Performance
Shelbourne’s recent games have been a mixed bag: two wins, one loss, and two draws, with six goals scored and five conceded. Their defense’s resilience saw them keep two clean sheets recently. A notable victory was their 1-0 win away at St. Patrick’s Athletic on June 16, 2025.
Other significant matches include a tough 1-2 home loss against Shamrock Rovers on June 13, a gritty 1-1 draw away to Cork City on May 30, and a thrilling 3-2 home triumph versus Sligo Rovers on May 23. Complementing these was a goalless draw at home with Drogheda United on May 19.
| Date | Opponent | Score |
|---|---|---|
| 2025-06-16 | St. Patrick’s Athletic | 0 – 1 (A) |
| 2025-06-13 | Shamrock Rovers | 1 – 2 (H) |
| 2025-05-30 | Cork City | 1 – 1 (A) |
| 2025-05-23 | Sligo Rovers | 3 – 2 (H) |
| 2025-05-19 | Drogheda United | 0 – 0 (H) |
Shelbourne Key Players
Ademipo Odubeko is Shelbourne’s top scorer with 4 goals, often the focus of their attacks. Conor Kearns is crucial in goal, critical for their recent clean sheets. Central defenders Tyreke Wilson and Patrick Barrett dominate aerial battles, providing a solid defensive core.
Anchoring the midfield is Alistair Coote, who offers defensive protection and aids in ball distribution. Jonathan Lunney and Mark Coyle add creativity, linking plays well. On the flanks, Sean Boyd and Harry Wood bring pace and tenacity. Damien Duff prefers a structured, counter-attacking game, utilizing full-backs Kameron Ledwidge and Sam Bone for wide support.
Shelbourne Suspensions & Injuries
No injury concerns or suspensions are reported for Shelbourne ahead of this match against Derry City.
| Player | Injury Type | Expected Return |
|---|---|---|
| – | – | – |
Shelbourne Tactics and Formation
Shelbourne, under Duff, emphasizes defensive stability, often fielding a 4-3-1-2 or 4-3-3 formation. This setup highlights a strong defense while supporting quick transitions. Conor Kearns will likely continue as goalkeeper, with a disciplined defense featuring Caffrey, Wilson, Barrett, and Ledwidge.
The midfield trio is crucial, with Coote holding fort and Lunney and Coyle advancing when needed. Up front, Odubeko partners Boyd, while Wood supports from wide areas. Set-pieces are expected to be a key tactic, leveraging Barrett and Wilson’s aerial prowess.
Derry City Team Analysis
Derry City Recent Performance
Derry City’s form is one win, two losses, and two draws in their last five games. They scored 5 goals but conceded 6, with an alarming lack of clean sheets. Recent moments include a 1-1 stalemate with Galway United on June 13, 2025, and a 0-1 loss to Bohemian FC on May 30, 2025.
Further details show a 1-2 home loss against Shamrock Rovers on May 23, a 1-1 draw away at Drogheda United on May 16, and a notable 2-1 away victory over Cork City on May 9.
| Date | Opponent | Score |
|---|---|---|
| 2025-06-13 | Galway United FC | 1 – 1 (H) |
| 2025-05-30 | Bohemian FC | 1 – 0 (A) |
| 2025-05-23 | Shamrock Rovers | 1 – 2 (H) |
| 2025-05-16 | Drogheda United | 1 – 1 (A) |
| 2025-05-09 | Cork City | 1 – 2 (A) |
Derry City Key Players
Michael Duffy is Derry’s standout player with six goals, central to their attack. Brian Maher must be alert to handle wet conditions as the main goalkeeper. Defenders Ronan Boyce and Sam Todd are key for backline cohesion.
From the wings, Carl Winchester and Gavin Whyte deliver the ball forward, while playmaker Adam O’Reilly manages midfield tempo. Striker Daniel Mullen will benefit from wide deliveries. Coach Tiernan Lynch favors structured defenses with counter-attacking breakaways.
Derry City Suspensions & Injuries
Derry faces challenges with Cameron Dummigan absent due to an unknown issue, with a return expected in 1–2 weeks. Ben Doherty is also sidelined with a knock, expected to return in 1–2 weeks. These absences might strain Derry City’s defensive plans.
| Player | Injury Type | Expected Return |
|---|---|---|
| Cameron Dummigan | Unknown | 1–2 weeks |
| Ben Doherty | Knock | 1–2 weeks |
Derry City Tactics and Formation
Derry City usually opts for a cautious style. They often use a 4-4-1-1 or a 4-2-3-1 formation, with Duffy supporting lone striker Mullen. Their defense line includes Maher, Boyce, Todd, Connolly, and Cann, who provide defensive and offensive support when needed.
Winchester and O’Reilly anchor midfield while Whyte and Duffy offer wide creativity. Set-pieces are vital for creating scoring chances, with aerial threats like Connolly and Boyce. Lynch emphasizes tight, compact defense, redirecting the opponent to less risky wide areas.
Shelbourne vs Derry City Head-to-Head Statistics
The rivalry between Shelbourne and Derry City is even, with two wins each and one draw in their last five meetings. Derry won 2-0 at home on May 2, 2025, while Shelbourne triumphed 3-1 at home in February.
Shelbourne’s 1-0 win away at Derry in November 2024 and Derry’s 2-0 home win in September highlight their competitive spirit. They also held a tactical draw at 0-0 at Tolka Park in August 2024.
| Date | Home Team | Score | Away Team |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025-05-02 | Derry City | 2 – 0 | Shelbourne |
| 2025-02-14 | Shelbourne | 3 – 1 | Derry City |
| 2024-11-01 | Derry City | 0 – 1 | Shelbourne |
| 2024-09-14 | Derry City | 2 – 0 | Shelbourne |
| 2024-08-05 | Shelbourne | 0 – 0 | Derry City |
Venue and Weather
Tolka Park in Dublin, with a capacity of 10,100, is ready for this Premier Division clash. The match will enjoy a pleasant 22.5°C evening, with light rain forecasted. Gentle winds at 5.4 m/s further define the atmosphere.
These conditions hint at a quick play style on the wet surface, with the ball moving faster across the pitch. This could aid defenses in reducing aerial threats, while goalkeepers stay alert for skidding shots or odd deflections. Overall, the evening promises a well-balanced, competitive match, where weather conditions are unlikely to sway the game significantly in either direction.
