Shelbourne FC vs Cork City FC Prediction: Shels finally suffered their first league defeat

The defending champions finally lost their first league game of the season, and it happened in their most recent league game against Drogheda United. They’ll now prepare to take on Cork City at Tolka Park on Friday. Cork City has won just a single game in the four league games they’ve played this season, and they’ll give their all to secure another win at Tolka on Friday. My prediction here is a win or draw for Shelbourne. Let’s analyze both teams’ forms, their key stats, and my expert opinion. 

Shelbourne FC (3rd)

Form in the league: LWWDD

The defending champions started the new season with a sensational performance against Derry City, which ended in a 3-1 victory. Their second league game against Waterford was a tough one, which ended in a narrow 0-1 victory, their third against Shamrock Rovers ended in a 1-1 while their fourth league game against Galway United also ended in a 1-1 draw. They finally suffered their first defeat in the league this season, and it came in their most recent league game against Drogheda United. Warren Davis got an early goal for Drogheda United in the 4th minute of the game, and that was all for the game as all efforts of Shelbourne to find the net were futile. The game eventually ended in a 0-1 defeat to Shels. Shelbourne will now aim to bounce back to winning ways as they take on Cork City on Friday. They are currently 3rd placed in the league with an overall league statistics of 2 wins, 2 draws and a draw from the 5 league games played. 

Cork City FC (7th)

Form in all competitions: DLWD

Cork City started the new season with a 2-2 draw against Galway United in their opening game. Cork City scored in the 34th minute but got pegged twice in the game. Their second game of the season against Shamrock Rovers was postponed. Their 3rd against Waterford ended in a 2-1 defeat, and they managed to salvage a point in their last league game against Sligo Rovers, which ended in a 1-1 draw. They are currently 7th placed in the league table with a win, 2 draws, and a loss from four games played. 

Head-To-Head-Statistics

A critical look at their last 10 encounters produced 8 wins for Shelbourne, and 2 draws. 

Expert Betting Tips

Shels is fresh off a defeat to Drogheda United, and they’ll give their all for a comeback victory on Friday. They cannot suffer two consecutive home defeats in the league and not to Cork City, who has not won a game against Shels in their last 11 meetings. Shels have consecutively won the last 5 games between them, and we think this victory will extend to Friday's encounter. A win and a total of over 1.5 goals for Shels is our first prediction. 

Another important option to leverage is the corner options, as there has been a low number of corner counts in their respective games since the start of the season. Please see some of their head-to-head streaks below;

• 5 consecutive wins for Shelbourne in their last 5 meetings
• No losses for Shelbourne in their last 11 meetings
• Shelbourne has scored first in their last 8 meetings

Our first prediction is a win or draw for Shelbourne and a total of over 1.5 goals for 1.69 odds at 1xBet.

Our second prediction is a total of under 9.5 corners for 1.82 odds at Betway.

Our third prediction is a win for Shelbourne at 1.66 odds at Bet365.