Shelbourne vs Hacken prediction: EUROPE: Conference League – League phase betting tips on match 2025-10-01 19:00.
[p]A pair of European novices meet in an intriguing matchday one UEFA Conference League clash that pits Irish champions Shelbourne against Häcken in Dublin.[/p]
[p]Match News and Current Form[/p]
[p]With the defence of their first league title in 18 years long since in trouble, excitement has been building towards Shelbourne’s first-ever full European campaign ever since they overcame Linfield 5-1 on aggregate in the play-off round in late August. Joey O’Brien’s men have built momentum nicely towards this historic fixture by losing just one of their last six matches (W4, D1), but they’ll have to do without some of their home advantage after their ground fell foul of UEFA’s regulations. [/p]
[p]Häcken take up the unfamiliar role of being the more experienced side in a European fixture, with this serving as their second full campaign on the continent in three seasons. The Wasps will certainly hope for better fortunes than in the 2023/24 Europa League when they lost all six group matches, with the three away defeats coming by an 11-2 combined scoreline! Three losses from their last four road games this term hardly bodes well on that front (W1), but Häcken certainly displayed their strength in their own play-off, thrashing Romanian side CFR Cluj 7-3 on aggregate![/p]
[p]Head-to-Head History[/p]
[p]These sides have never met previously, with this also serving as Shelbourne’s first match against a Swedish side. Häcken faced Irish opposition in 2016/17, losing 1-0 away at Cork City in a 2-1 aggregate defeat in Europa League qualifying.[/p]
[p]Hot Stats and Streaks[/p]
[p]Shelbourne have conceded at least once in five of their last six games as hosts.[/p]
[p]Seven penalties have been awarded across Shelbourne’s last eight games.[/p]
[p]Häcken’s last four European road matches ended 1-0 (W2, L2).[/p]
[p]Just two of Häcken’s last 13 away games saw both teams score.[/p]
[p]Key Players to Watch and Missing Players[/p]
[p]Shelbourne’s Harry Wood has scored five times across their last six matches, with three of those strikes coming from the penalty spot. Amor Layouni will certainly be one to watch out for after he registered a staggering five assists in Häcken’s 7-2 demolition of Cluj in the first leg of their Conference League play-off.[/p]
[p]Shelbourne defender Sam Bone came off late against Waterford with injury so is a doubt here, while Häcken goalkeeper Andreas Linde has missed their last three games through injury.[/p]
[p]For all the latest team news, please check the Flashscore match centre.[/p]
[p]Betting Analysis[/p]
[p]Goals have been a constant theme in Häcken’s games recently, so backing over 3.5 goals in this clash looks appealing.[/p]
[p][i]Author: Ryan Fisher[/i][/p]