Shelbourne vs Waterford FC: Prediction, Head-to-Head, Odds & Stats (Fri, 26 Sep '25)

The upcoming Premier Division match is scheduled for Friday, 26th of September, 2025, showcasing a potentially thrilling encounter between Shelbourne and Waterford FC. Both teams will face off at a time of local significance, aiming to shift the balance of their closely contested rivalry. In their last three head-to-head meetings, each team has claimed victory once alongside a draw, the most recent stalemate occurring on Monday, 23rd June 2025.

Assessing their recent performances, Shelbourne enters the clash with positive momentum, securing a narrow 1-0 victory over Galway United. In contrast, Waterford FC approaches the game on a less favorable note after suffering a 0-2 loss to Cork City. Within their respective domestic league standings, Shelbourne holds a solid fourth position, while Waterford FC finds themselves in the seventh spot. These rankings highlight Shelbourne’s superior consistency this season.

Player performance metrics provide additional insights: Waterford FC will have to strategize effectively to restrain H. Wood, Shelbourne's leading goal scorer with six goals this season. Alternatively, Shelbourne should be wary of C. Noonan's playmaking abilities, as he tops Waterford's assist chart with five assists. The player rating analysis further illustrates this, with Shelbourne's standout performers being Harry Wood (7.23), Evan Caffrey (7.14), and Kerr Mcinroy (7.13). Waterford's leading figures are Conan Noonan (7.25), Pádraig Amond (7.08), and Muhammadu Faal (7.05).

This season, Shelbourne maintains a higher average possession rate, controlling 58.11% of play compared to Waterford's 46.93%, which could prove crucial in dictating the match's tempo. When it comes to corners, Shelbourne averages 4.96 per match, while Waterford registers a similar figure of 4.76, suggesting evenly contested set-piece opportunities. Discipline wise, both teams have had their share of bookings—Shelbourne with 71 yellow cards and 2 red cards, alongside 2 penalty goals conceded, while Waterford mirrors these numbers with 77 yellows and 2 reds.

Analysing these statistics, Shelbourne appears to have the edge due to their steadier form and better league position. With strong individual performances and tactical advantages, Shelbourne is poised to leverage these factors and potentially claim victory in this match against Waterford FC.