The Matchday 5 tie in the group stage of the 2025/26 Conference League between Shelbourne (Ireland) and Crystal Palace (England) will take place on December 11 at Tallaght Stadium in Dublin. Shelbourne – Crystal Palace: prediction and betting odds, statistics.
Shelbourne
The Irish side remain among the teams yet to record a win in the Conference League group stage. Two weeks ago they lost away to AZ Alkmaar (0-2), registering their third consecutive defeat in this competition. After four matches Shelbourne have picked up just one point, a goalless draw at home to Häcken. In the overall standings the Irish sit 34th, above only Shamrock Rovers and Rapid. The main problem is that Shelbourne have still not scored in the group stage — all other participants have found the net at least twice.
- Shelbourne have not conceded more than one goal in five consecutive home Conference League matches.
- At least one of the teams failed to score in five of Shelbourne’s last matches in this competition.
- No more than two goals have been scored in five of the club’s Conference League games.
Projected lineup for Shelbourne (5-3-2)*
Wessel Spel – Dan Kelly, Milan Mbeng, Cameron Ledwidge, Patrick Barrett, Mark Coyle – Kerr McInroy, Jonathan Lanni, Jack Henry-Francis – Ademipo Odubeko, Harry Wood.
Defender James Norris remains suspended and will miss the match.
Crystal Palace
In the group stage Crystal Palace have alternated wins and losses. In the last round they were beaten 1-2 by Strasbourg after surrendering a first-half lead. The defeat in France left Palace in 18th place in the table. They sit just two points off both the top eight and the relegation zone. Notably, Crystal Palace have conceded in their last three Conference League matches after previously keeping three consecutive clean sheets in the competition.
- The English side have failed to score more than two goals in five of their last six Conference League matches.
- Their streak in this tournament is uncompromisingly mixed at four matches (2 wins, 2 losses).
- Crystal Palace have conceded no more than one goal in five of their last six Conference League games.
Projected lineup for Crystal Palace (5-4-1)*
Dean Henderson – Jaidy Kanvo, Maxence Lacroix, Tyrick Mitchell, Daniel Muñoz, Marc Guéhi – Jefferson Lerma, Jérémy Pino, Ismaïla Sarr, Will Hughes – Jean-Philippe Mateta.
Midfielders Caleb Kporo and Cheick Doukouré will miss the match through injury.
Referee
Martin Matoša (Slovenia)
Matches – 9 (International fixtures, 2024/25–2025/26);
Yellow cards shown (including second yellows) – 48;
Average yellow cards per match – 5.3;
Red cards shown – 0;
Average fouls per match – 24;
Penalties – 22%.
Match prediction — Shelbourne vs Crystal Palace
Shelbourne have yet to win or score in the group stage, but defensively they have kept the damage to a minimum, conceding just four goals in four matches. That defensive solidity has prevented heavy defeats; they have not been beaten by a large margin in seven consecutive Conference League games and have lost just one of their last five home matches in the competition, by a single goal.
Crystal Palace’s group form has been patchy, with wins and losses coming in alternation. When successful, the English side have tended not to secure large victories — since qualification they have not recorded a big win in any of their last six Conference League matches.
Prediction – Shelbourne +2.5 (Asian Handicap)
* For each team the starting XI shown is from their last match in this tournament.
