Shelbourne vs Linfield Preview & Prediction | 2025-26 UEFA Champions League Qualifying | First Qualifying Round

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It is unlikely to be a quiet affair in the Republic of Ireland this week as Shelbourne takes on Linfield in the first qualifying round of the UEFA Champions League this week.

Kick-off date/time:

How to watch on TV: UK – Not televised / US – Not televised

How to watch online: UK – BBC iPlayer / US – Cannot be streamed

Shelbourne vs Linfield prediction

Shelbourne have had a turbulent run up to the start of their UEFA Champions League qualifying campaign with Damien Duff deciding to step down a few weeks ago. The Irish come into this one on the back of a 3-1 defeat of Cork City in the League of Ireland the other day after just one win in their last six matches.

They now face a Linfield side that, coached by former Northern Ireland international striker David Healy, won the NIFL Premiership for the 57th time last season, but it was their first league title since 2022 due to the emergence of Larne. They will believe they are now back on track, though, as they begin the new campaign.

Shelbourne are expected to try and find something that hasn’t been there of late, and that is unlikely to benefit them as they aren’t settled and Linfield should be sided with.

Shelbourne vs Linfield tip: Double chance – Linfield to win or draw