Bitesize Prediction: Bohemians vs Shelbourne – 21/07/23

Competition: FAI Cup

Market: Over 1.5 goals

Odds: 2/5 @ BetUS

Meeting for the second time in just the space of a week, Bohemians will welcome Shelbourne to Dalymount Park on Friday night for an FAI Cup showdown.

Starting with the hosts, while Bohemians might have opened July with an action-packed 3-2 victory against Dundalk, Declan Devine’s men have continued on a major inconsistent spell over the past couple of months. Last seen having to settle for a single point away at Friday’s guests while on Premier Division duties, the Dublin-based outfit have remarkably managed to muster just a pair of wins from any of their previous 11 straight domestic appearances across all competitions. With that extended wobble stemming all the way back to a 5-0 victory against Cork on May 1st, the Bohs have quickly come tumbling out of the European race. With their recent issues underlined by a 3-1 drumming away at Sligo last month, the former Derry boss will have a growing headache over his side’s struggles at the back. Including a lively 2-2 stalemate against reigning Irish champions Shamrock Rovers on June 23rd, it should be noted that Bohemians have seen five of their last six battles finish with both teams finding the net.

As for the visitors, while Shelbourne might have been disappointed after only collecting a single point at home against the Bohs last week, Damien Duff’s men have certainly impressed many across Ireland this season. Suffering just a single defeat from any of their previous nine domestic appearances across all formats – a run that stems back to May 19th – the ex-Chelsea forward has also seen his squad continue to shine on their travels. Last seen on the road landing a stellar 4-0 romp against UC Dublin earlier in the month, the Reds have remarkably lost just a sole matchup outside of Drumcondra since the start of March. Although Duff’s squad might have recorded only a single clean sheet from their last six attempts, Shelbourne will be desperate to make a real FAI Cup statement. With Friday’s opponents playing out that 1-1 draw when they faced-off at Tolka Park last weekend, we could be treated to an enjoyable affair here.

Bet: Over 1.5 goals at Bohemians vs Shelbourne 2/5 for Friday’s FAI Cup tie @ BetUS