Shelbourne FC vs Dundalk FC Prediction: Dundalk seems to have gotten back their finesse

Friday's match at Tolka Park promises to be an enthralling contest as Shelbourne FC and Dundalk FC gear up for a thrilling clash. Dundalk appears to have regained their footing with two consecutive victories. On the contrary, Shelbourne suffered a defeat at the hands of Shamrock Rovers in their recent league game. Anticipate a hard-fought battle for Dundalk in this fixture, setting the stage for an exciting matchup for football enthusiasts. Here are carefully curated tips for your consideration.

Form in all competitions: LDWWW

Shelbourne's previously unblemished record met its demise at the hands of Shamrock Rovers in their latest league encounter, resulting in a narrow 1-0 defeat. Shelbourne, adhering to their customary defensive approach, managed to stifle Shamrock for much of the match. However, Graham Burke's goal in the 72nd minute proved to be the decider. In their most recent five fixtures across all competitions, Shelbourne has secured three victories, a draw, and endured a lone loss. With this performance record, Shelbourne is resolute in its pursuit of maintaining momentum and achieving positive outcomes in its upcoming matches.

Across the ongoing season, Shelbourne has been resolutely working to secure a mid-table position and a promotion to Europe. Their comprehensive league statistics encompass 12 wins, 14 draws, and 5 losses in the 32 matches they have contested.

Form in all competitions: WWLLL

Dundalk has displayed signs of resurgence, stringing together two consecutive victories in their recent league outings. In their most recent league clash against Drogheda, they showcased their resilience by overcoming an initial deficit to secure a 3-1 triumph, with Patrick Hoban contributing to the scoreline. This impressive win has bolstered Dundalk's confidence and rekindled their determination as they approach their forthcoming fixture against Shelbourne on Friday.

Dundalk has been very poor in their recent performances. Their cumulative league performance comprises 14 triumphs, 8 stalemates, and 10 losses across 32 matches played. Spearheading the team's offensive endeavors, Patrick Hoban emerges as a pivotal figure, raising the possibility of witnessing his goal-scoring prowess on the upcoming Friday.

A critical look at the last 9 games between them produced 4 wins for Dundalk and 5 draws. Shelbourne have not won a game against Dundalk in their last 9 encounters.

Shelbourne's penchant for a defensive style of play has been evident in their recent matches, as they have frequently ended up with draws when facing stronger opponents. In fact, in five of their last six encounters, they've settled for draws, hinting at the possibility of a similar outcome in their upcoming match. However, our initial prediction still leans toward a win-or-draw scenario for Shelbourne, combined with the expectation that Dundalk will score fewer than 4.5 goals.

Conversely, Dundalk is likely to adopt an aggressive approach in their pursuit of victory, ramping up their offensive efforts. This raises the possibility of Dundalk outperforming Shelbourne in terms of corner counts, as Shelbourne's defensive style may lead to Dundalk winning more corners.