UCD vs Shelbourne predictions for Friday’s Irish Premier Division affair at UCD Bowl. Can Shels make UCD crisis even worse? Read on for all our free betting tips and predictions.
Match Live Friday, 7th July at 7:45 pm In:
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UCD vs Shelbourne Predictions
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A Struggle for Redemption: University College Dublin vs Shelbourne F.C.
Key Stats
– Shelbourne’s defensive prowess is unmatched in the league, making them a tough side to beat.
– The past five meetings between these teams have seen Shelbourne win twice with a scoreline of 2-0.
The landscape of the League of Ireland Premier Division is once again set for another riveting clash as the embattled University College Dublin (UCD) side welcomes mid-table stalwart Shelbourne on Friday. The home side is teetering on the brink of despair after a disheartening 7-0 defeat against St Patrick’s Athletic, casting shadows on their recent victory over Sligo Rovers. Conversely, Shelbourne enter the fray needing positive results, following a series of seven league games that saw only one win.
A Tale of Two Sides
The outlook for UCD is grim, with only two victories all season and a staggering 57 goals conceded at an alarming rate of over 2.5 per match. This recent performance underscores the team’s struggle, with a worrying statistic showing they are yet to record consecutive top-flight victories for nearly nine years. This woeful form has led to the team being stranded at the bottom of the Premier Division standings, trailing second-bottom Cork City by 13 points.
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Despite the seemingly insurmountable odds, UCD’s fighting spirit must be admired. The surprise win over Sligo Rovers in their final June fixture sparked fleeting hopes of an unprecedented comeback. However, the subsequent drubbing at the hands of title contenders St Patrick’s Athletic put paid to any such dreams.
On the opposite side of the pitch, the story is starkly different. Shelbourne, guided by Damien Duff, has built a reputation as a tough team to defeat. They boast the league’s best defensive record despite having a less prolific attack, with the team only outscored by UCD.
The Teams’ Form Guide
A deep dive into both teams’ recent forms paints a clearer picture. UCD have lost nine of their last ten league games, a disconcerting trend considering they only average 0.6 goals per game. Furthermore, their statistics reveal they only muster a meagre 2.7 corners per game.
Conversely, Shelbourne have exhibited more resilience, with only two losses in their last 15 matches. However, a spate of draws has confined them to mid-table obscurity. Interestingly, they’ve managed 3.3 corners per game, a modest yet significant edge over UCD.
The last five meetings between these teams have produced a mixed bag of results, with Shelbourne notching up two wins, each by a 2-0 scoreline. This statistic, coupled with Shelbourne’s robust defensive capabilities and UCD’s scoring struggles, hints at a potentially similar outcome for the upcoming clash.
Team News
UCD might see significant lineup changes following their less-than-ideal performance against St Pat’s. However, teenage striker Jake Doyle, who proved instrumental in the victory over Sligo, should retain his position.
Shelbourne, on the other hand, are set to return to full strength. Sean Boyd, nominated for the League of Ireland’s ‘Player of the Month’ award, is confirmed to start up front, with Conor Kearns set to replace rookie goalkeeper Daithi Folan.
Predictions
Given the contrasting fortunes and forms of the two teams, the match predictions lean significantly towards a Shelbourne victory. Their superior defensive record and more consistent recent form suggest they are poised to take full advantage of a UCD side that is likely still reeling from their recent rout.
In terms of specific match occurrences, we forecast that there will be over 8.5 corners. This prediction stems from the historical data showing that UCD and Shelbourne average a combined 6 corners per game, and in a match of this magnitude, the numbers are expected to rise as both teams strive to gain control.
In terms of the final scoreline, the analysis strongly hints at a 2-0 victory for Shelbourne. This prediction is based on the past trend of Shelbourne’s 2-0 victories over UCD and their robust defensive structure, which has been difficult for even the best offensive teams to penetrate. Furthermore, UCD’s attacking struggles, coupled with Shelbourne’s defensive solidity, are likely to result in a goalless performance from the hosts.
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