Waterford vs Shelbourne Betting Preview

Waterford and Shelbourne meet in this highly anticipated Premier Division fixture, with both sides looking to start strong. Shelbourne enters as the slight favorite, but Waterford has shown resilience in past encounters.

Match Odds & Predictions

The current odds suggest a competitive match, with Waterford priced at 3.58 for a home win, a draw at 3.1, and Shelbourne at 2.1 for an away victory. Our AI-powered predictions indicate that the best betting option is X2 (Shelbourne to win or draw), with a confidence level of 6.1/10 and odds of 1.28.

For the full-time result, our 1×2 prediction favors Shelbourne to win, with a confidence rating of 4.5 and odds of 2.1. Additionally, the under 2.5 goals market is projected with a confidence level of 3.1 and odds of 1.61. The predicted final score is 0-2, with Shelbourne expected to lead 0-1 at halftime.

Key Stats & Trends

Looking at historical data from the Premier Division, home teams have won 37.8% of matches, while away teams have secured victory in 25.7% of games. Draws occur in 36.4% of fixtures, making them a frequent outcome.

Waterford has won 51.4% of its last 107 matches, while Shelbourne has been victorious in 39.7% of its last 116 games. However, Shelbourne has a significantly higher draw rate (34.5%) compared to Waterford (18.7%).

In terms of goals, Waterford’s matches tend to be more open, with 61.7% of their games featuring over 2.5 goals, compared to just 34.5% for Shelbourne. Additionally, both teams have scored in 53.3% of Waterford’s games, while this has occurred in 47.4% of Shelbourne’s fixtures.

Recent Form & Head-to-Head

Waterford has struggled in recent outings, winning just 2 of their last 10 matches. They have averaged 1.5 goals per game but conceded 2.4 goals per match, leading to 9 of those 10 games surpassing the 2.5-goal mark.

Shelbourne, on the other hand, has been in strong form, winning 7 of their last 10 matches. They have averaged 2.2 goals per game while conceding just 0.9 goals per match. Six of their last 10 games have seen over 2.5 goals.

In their most recent head-to-head clash on June 13, 2024, Shelbourne secured a 1-0 victory over Waterford. The odds for that match slightly favored Shelbourne at 2.26, and they delivered on expectations.

Betting Insights

Given Shelbourne’s solid form and Waterford’s defensive struggles, the X2 (Shelbourne to win or draw) market offers strong value at 1.28. Shelbourne’s ability to grind out results, combined with Waterford’s inconsistency, makes this a logical choice.

Additionally, the under 2.5 goals market at 1.61 could be worth considering, given Shelbourne’s tendency to play in lower-scoring matches. However, Waterford’s defensive vulnerabilities could lead to a more open game than expected.

Final Thoughts

Shelbourne’s recent performances suggest they have the edge in this fixture, and their ability to control games defensively could be key. Waterford will need to improve their defensive structure if they are to challenge for points. Based on the data, backing Shelbourne to win or draw (X2) appears to be the safest bet.