The League of Ireland showdown between Waterford and Shelbourne is set for June 23, 2025. Football fans across Europe can catch the action live: Italy, Germany, France and Spain – kick-off at 20:45 CEST; UK viewers tune in at 19:45 BST. Expect an intense atmosphere as both sides look to strengthen their league credentials.
Waterford will be eager to use home advantage to turn around recent mixed results, while Shelbourne aim to extend their impressive run on the road. With both teams searching for consistency, this fixture promises tactical intrigue and key moments that could define their season’s trajectory.
How are both teams coming into this?
Waterford’s season has been marked by attacking flashes offset by defensive lapses. They’ve averaged around 1.1 goals per game but conceded at a rate of 1.4 goals on average. Their clean sheet frequency sits near 20%, highlighting vulnerabilities at the back—especially when under sustained pressure.
Shelbourne arrive in stronger form, boasting an average of 1.8 goals scored per fixture while shipping just 0.9 goals. Their defence has kept clean sheets close to 45% of the time, and they’ve shown the ability to control matches both on the break and in possession. Recent goal splits suggest they’re comfortable with either low-scoring encounters or more open affairs.
Our forecast
Given both sides’ tendencies, we’re expecting a tight, low-scoring affair. Waterford will press early, but Shelbourne’s defensive solidity may blunt the home side’s momentum. An evenly matched first half could give way to a decisive moment after the break, likely from a set-piece or counter.
We foresee either a 1-1 draw or a narrow 0-1 victory for Shelbourne. Betting the under 2.5 goals market or backing a slim away success could offer the most value.
