Linfield will look to overturn a one-goal deficit as they welcome Shelbourne to Windsor Park in the second leg of their all-Irish Champions League qualifying tie.
It’s the League of Ireland champions, Shelbourne, who travel to Belfast with a first-leg lead, with Ademipo Odubeko’s goal just before the hour mark separating the two sides on an evening our man, The Betting Desk, landed a couple of winners.
Following on from Damien Duff’s departure from Shelbourne, ex-Bolton and West Ham United defender, Joey O’Brien, has made an unbeaten start as head coach (W2-D2-L0), winning each of his last two.
Whilst Shelbourne will almost certainly relinquish their league crown, as they currently sit some 14 points behind leaders Shamrock Rovers with just 11 games to go, they will at least be expected to be more up to speed than their hosts.
Unlike the League of Ireland, the NIFL season is yet to begin, with last week’s first leg defeat being only David Healy’s side's second competitive match since the end of April.
How the bookies view it: Tough one to predict
The bookmakers are finding this a tough one to predict, with Linfield marginal favourites to win on the night, with BoyleSports pricing them at 7/5.
A repeat of the first leg result pays 13/8 with the same firm, whilst the draw is 9/4.
Head to head: Hope for Linfield
Prior to that first leg defeat last week, Linfield were unbeaten in three previous meetings with Shelbourne (W2-D1-L0), including a 2-0 success in the 2005 Setanta Cup final.
Players to watch: Odubeko to be the hero again?
Shelbourne striker Ademipo Odubeko was the hero in the first leg, grabbing the only goal of the game at Tolka Park. The Irishman has now scored in three games on the bounce for The Reds, and could be worth a play to bag again once markets are released.
Predicted line-ups:
David Healy will be without midfielder Alex Rodriguez, but ex-Falkirk forward Callum Morrison is expected to start once again.
Shelbourne will be expected to name a similar starting 11 to the one that dominated The Blues in the first leg in Dublin last week.
Linfield: Johns, Orr, East, Hall, McCullough, Archer, Mulgrew, McGhee, Millar, Morrison, Fitzpatrick
Shelbourne: Kearns, Caffrey, Barrett, Ledwidge, Norris, Wood, Coyle, Lunney, McInroy, Coote, Odubeko
Anything else catch the eye?
Despite their domination in the first leg last week, Shelbourne could only claim a one-goal advantage, and you feel this will be a tougher test for them in the Northern Irish capital in what promises to be a raucous atmosphere.
Both Teams to Score has been a winning selection in seven of The Reds' past 11 away matches in the Irish Premier Division, and that pays 5/6 at BoyleSports, which appeals to me here.
Whilst Joey O’Brien’s men have won only one of their last nine league matches on the road, six of those have resulted in a draw – including three of the past four – and another stalemate in 90 minutes pays 9/4 at BoyleSports.
GambleAware