John Russell has endured a tough start to his tenure as Shelbourne boss but he can get a first win on the board when Nomme Kalju visit in Conference League qualifying on Thursday.
Shelbourne were knocked out of the FAI Cup by Kerry on penalties in Russell’s first game in the hotseat, and now they face Estonia’s Nomme Kalju.
The Shels look a level above Nomme Kalju but the visitors have enjoyed success on Irish soil already this summer, knocking out NIFL outfit Linfield in the previous round of qualifying, so Russell will be wary of being on the wrong end of another upset after defeat to First Division side Kerry at the weekend.
Shelbourne v Nomme Kalju Tips Summary
Best Bet - Shelbourne -1 @ 20/21
Alternative Bet - Shelbourne to win 2-0 @ 9/2
Bet Builder - Shelbourne -1, Both teams to score - No, Over 11 corners @ 6/1
Shelbourne v Nomme Kalju Prediction
Best Bet: Shelbourne -1 @ 20/21
Shelbourne were on the wrong end of a cup upset over the weekend but there were mitigating circumstances. The Reds had opened up a 1-0 lead but were then quickly reduced to 10 men, and they showed enough fight to equalise themselves after falling 2-1 behind before being edged out on penalties.
Nomme Kalju overcame Linfield but they enjoyed a slice or two of luck across the two legs of that tie. Kalju won 1-0 at home in the first leg but had to soak up a lot of pressure. They then drew 2-2 at Linfield but benefitted from playing against 10 men for the majority of the game after Ethan McGee was dismissed midway through the first half.
If the Shels are able to keep their full complement on the pitch they should be able to beat Kalju comfortably.
The Estonian side rode their luck against the 10-men of Linfield and Shelbourne are a level above the Northern Irish outfit.
Shelbourne also gained experience of playing in Europe last season and they should have enough quality to cover a -1 handicap.
Alternative Bet: Shelbourne to win 2-0 @ 9/2
Correct score bettors should consider a 2-0 win for Shelbourne on the basis that they are not prolific scorers and Nomme Kalju will probably maintain a defensive approach even if they are a goal or two behind, in the knowledge that they will have home advantage in the return fixture.
Shelbourne haven’t scored more than twice in any of their last 13 games but they have scored exactly two goals in five of their last six.
Clean sheets have been an issue for Shelbourne but they did shut-out both Celje and Hacken in the league phase of the Conference League last term, and have enough quality at the back to keep Nomme Kalju quiet.
Shelbourne v Nomme Kalju Bet Builder Tip
Shelbourne -1
Both teams to score - No
Over 11 corners
Pays 6/1
Shelbourne have the quality to win by more than one goal and they should be looking to put together a big lead in the first leg before they travel to Estonia.
Nomme Kalju did score three goals against Linfield in the previous round but those goals came from just eight shots on target in total, and the majority of those attempts were produced when they were playing against 10 men.
Shelbourne average around five corners per game in Ireland but should go above their average as Kalju conceded 22 in total across their two games with Linfield. The Estonian side can add to the corner count so over 11 in total looks an achievable target.
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Key Match Stats
Shelbourne have suffered just one defeat in their last six at home
Nomme Kalju have been beaten in three of their last four European away fixtures
Shelbourne beat Linfield 5-1 on aggregate in qualifying last season
Nomme Kalju’s victory over Linfield ended a nine-game winless run in Europe for the Estonian side (normal time)
Nomme Kalju lost to Irish side St Patrick’s Athletic at this stage of qualifying last season
The Shels have never previously faced an Estonian team
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This article was written by a partner sports writer via Spotlight Sports Group. All odds displayed on this page were correct at the time of writing and are subject to withdrawal or change at any time.
