Shelbourne FC vs Shamrock Rovers FC Prediction: The defending champions will get their first victory of the season

As the second round of the Ireland Premier division kicks off on Friday, excitement builds for what promises to be another captivating match brimming with footballing fervor. Following draws in their opening league games, both teams are eager for a favorable result this Friday. Our forecast for this game tilts towards a victory or draw for Shamrock Rovers, given their advantage and stronger squad. We invite you to delve into our meticulously crafted insights for a comprehensive analysis and expert tips ahead of the match.

Shelbourne FC started off their new season with a 1-1 draw against newly promoted Waterford in their first league game. Sean Boyd got the equalizer for Shelbourne in the 78th minute to give them the all-important point. Shelbourne will now need to tighten their defense line as they prepare to take on the defending champions Shamrock Rovers on Friday. 

Shamrock Rovers kicked off their new season with a draw against Dundalk in their inaugural game. Jamie Gullan opened the scoring for Dundalk, but Aaron Greene leveled the score for Shamrock Rovers in the 59th minute. With their sights set on clinching their maiden victory of the season, Shamrock Rovers are now gearing up to take on Dundalk once again this Friday.

The last 9 games between them produced 5 wins for Shamrock and 5 draws.

This upcoming match between Shelbourne and Shamrock Rovers has all the makings of a tightly contested affair. Historically, five out of the last seven Premier Division meetings between these two teams have seen under 2.5 goals scored. Given both teams' propensity for drawing matches this season and the early stages of the new season, a draw seems a plausible outcome. However, considering Shamrock Rovers' dominance in recent encounters—Shelbourne hasn't secured a victory against them in their last 10 meetings—a win-or-draw scenario for Shamrock Rovers appears favorable.

It's worth noting that both teams have found the back of the net in two out of their last three league games, indicating the potential for both teams to score (BTTS). With odds at 1.95, BTTS could be considered a viable second-choice option for this match.