Shelbourne vs Crystal Palace predictions and betting tips – Eagles set for comfortable win

After suffering defeat in their last Conference League outing, Crystal Palace know they can’t afford any more slip-ups when they travel to the Republic of Ireland to face Shelbourne on Matchday 5.

Oliver Glasner’s team still harbour ambitions of a top-eight finish. The Eagles need two wins from two to have any chance of achieving this, starting with their match against the Shels on Thursday.

• Crystal Palace -1 to win on handicap – 9/20 with BetVictor
• Palace to score over 2.5 goals – 4/5 with Midnite
• Eddie Nketiah to score anytime – 19/20 with Betfred

Shelbourne vs Crystal Palace odds

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Shelbourne vs Crystal Palace prediction

Life in the Conference League for Joey O’Brien’s team has been anything other than plain sailing. 

His Shelbourne team may not be rock bottom of the table, but they are currently the only team in the 36-strong group to have not found the back of the net.

The League of Ireland outfit started with a 0-0 draw at home to Hacken. However, that was as good as it got for the Reds who have since lost three on the spin to leave them sitting third from bottom of the table.

The rot started with a 1-0 loss away to Shkëndija on Matchday 2, which was followed by a 1-0 defeat at home to Drita.

The Reds then travelled to the Netherlands to face Republic of Ireland goalscoring hero Troy Parrott and his AZ Alkmaar team. 

Although Parrott didn’t find the net against his fellow-countrymen, his team still recorded a comfortable 2-0  win that saw the Shels register just one effort at goal.

Following their match against Palace, Joey O’Brien’s team will conclude their Conference League campaign against NK Celje in Slovenia on Matchday 6.

Oliver Glasner’s Crystal Palace will make the short trip to Ireland full of confidence having won back-to-back matches in the Premier League.

The Eagles good form of late has seen them ascend to fourth place in the table, with their latest win coming away at Fulham on Sunday.

Eddie Nketiah opened the scoring for the Eagles after 20 minutes, but they couldn’t hold onto their lead and Harry Wilson levelled the scores just before half-time.

Just when it looked like Palace were going to have to settle for a point, captain Marc Guéhi powered in a header from a corner after 87 minutes to seal all three for the Eagles. 

Unfortunately for Oliver Glasner, Palace haven’t been as ruthless in the Conference League, where the Eagles sit 18th in the table with six points from four matches. 

They began their campaign well with a 2-0 win over Dynamo Kyiv. However, the Eagles then suffered a huge setback when they lost 1-0 at Selhurst Park to Larnaca on Matchday 2.

Palace seemed back on track after recording a 3-1 home win over AZ Alkmaar on Matchday 3. But again, the Eagles threw away all their good work in their following match. This time they crashed to a 2-1 defeat away to Strasbourg, having led 1-0 at half-time.

The defeat leaves Palace no room for error ahead of their final two fixtures away at Shelbourne and at home to KuPS.

Shelbourne vs Crystal Palace betting tips

Shelbourne have never faced English opposition before in European competition. Their Conference League hopes hang by a thread unless they can win two from two. However, recording a win over a Premier League team in the top four is some ask. Our Shelbourne vs Crystal Palace tips follow:

Palace to comfortably cover the -1 Handicap

Crystal Palace are the bookmaker’s favourites to win this competition. And with fixtures piling up, the Eagles will want to finish in the top eight and avoid the need for a two-legged playoff to get into the Round of 16.

Expect a fast start from Palace to try and put the game to bed early and avoid the need for their big name players to have to play the majority of the match. 

The Eagles are 2/15 in the match betting market. Back them to win from -1 on the European handicap. A 2-0 or 3-1 win will see this bet come home.

Bet on Crystal Palace to win from -1 on European handicap at 9/20 with BetVictor

Palace goals the smart play

Shelbourne can gain inspiration from the fact that Palace haven’t been watertight at the back in Europe. 

The Eagles have conceded in three of their four Conference League games. This could be down to squad rotation, as they are generally quite solid in the Premier League.

However, with no goals in their four Conference League matches to date, the signs don’t look good for the Shels. 

So the obvious bet is to go for no in both teams to score, which is just 4/7 with Midnite. 

What’s putting us off is the odds are very short, along with the law of averages suggesting Shelbourne may score in one of their final two matches. 

However, the gulf in class just looks huge here. So we are instead siding with Palace scoring three or more. 

The odds are better and this also covers us if the Shels do produce that long awaited goal.

Back Crystal Palace to score over 2.5 goals at 4/5 with Midnite

Opportunity for Nketiah to shine

Eddie Nketiah only has two goals for Palace in nine Premier League appearances. His second came in last Sunday’s 2-1 win over Fulham.

Even though Palace needs to win this match, there is still every chance Oliver Glasner may rotate with Palace in the top four and a busy festive period coming up, which also includes an EFL Cup tie against Arsenal on 23 December.

That should mean a start for Eddie Nketiah in place of Jean-Philippe Mateta (who is yet to score in four Conference League starts). 

In the Conference League, Nketiah has one goal in three appearances from the bench. He is nearly even money to add to his tally with Betfred and that looks like good value to us.

Back Eddie Nketiah to score anytime at 19/20 with Betfred

Shelbourne vs Crystal Palace predicted lineups

• Shelbourne expected lineup: Speel; Mbeng, Barrett, Ledwidge, Norris, Kelly; Henry-Francis, Lunney, McInroy; Wood, Odubeko.
• Crystal Palace expected lineup: Henderson; Canvot, Lacroix, Guehi; Clyne, Lerma, Hughes, Sosa; Devenny, Pino; Nketiah.

Where to watch Shelbourne vs Crystal Palace

• Location: Tallaght Stadium, Dublin, Ireland.
• Date and time: Thursday 11th, December, 8pm.
• How to watch: TNT Sports 2.

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About the author

Dean Etheridge

Dean Etheridge is an experienced freelance sports betting writer who specialises in football, cricket, and darts, with a keen focus on the Premier League and Champions League, as well as in-depth coverage of Premier League Darts and major tournaments. He can turn his hand to all aspects of the beautiful game and beyond, delivering expert analysis across a range of sports. He predominantly covers the Premier League and Champions League but can turn his hand to all aspects of the beautiful game. You can follow Dean on LinkedIn (@deanetheridge)

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