Thursday 13th August – 19:45 BST
🇪🇺 Conference League Qualifier ⚽
Shelbourne vs. Ajax
Whatever happens, this night will be remembered for Shelbourne. Ajax’s visit isn’t just a match; it’s a celebration of Irish football’s ambition, a reminder that even the smallest grounds can host the biggest dreams writes Will Burns.
The arrival of Ajax in Dublin has sparked a wave of excitement that the Shelbourne fans haven’t felt in years. The Amsterdammers, fresh from their 3–1 win in the first leg, will face the spirited Irish side determined to turn Tolka Park into a fortress.
Last week’s contest at the Johan Cruyff Arena saw Mika Godts, the Belgian winger at the centre of a rejected €45 million bid from PSG, torment Shelbourne’s defence, scoring early and setting up two more. Yet the night belonged to goalkeeper Eddie Beach, whose heroics kept the tie alive and gave the travelling 500 fans a moment to savour when Daniel Kelly’s late strike found the net.
Now, the stage shifts to Drumcondra. Only 4,343 supporters can squeeze into Tolka Park, with just 370 tickets for Ajax’s travelling contingent. The contrast couldn’t be sharper — from 51,000 in Amsterdam to a tight, old‑school ground where the fans are practically on the pitch. For Shelbourne, this is more than a match; it’s a statement that Irish football can host Europe’s elite on its own turf.
Shelbourne
Shelbourne will be without Alistair Coote and Jack Henry‑Francis for the Europa Conference League qualifier against Ajax. Both players were forced off at half-time in the recent defeat to St Patrick’s Athletic and won’t recover in time for Thursday’s match.
Despite the setbacks, manager John Russell says the squad is staying calm and sticking to a “next man in” mindset. He believes the group has enough depth to cope, pointing to players like Portuguese forward Rodrigo Freitas who impressed in the first leg in Amsterdam – even though he was dismissed for a double booking at the weekend in the 2-1 defeat to St. Patricks. Russell expects others to step forward again at Tolka Park as Shelbourne try to rise to the occasion against the Dutch giants.
Ajax
Ajax will travel to Ireland with a 23‑man squad, but Steven Berghuis has been left at home, missing the trip for personal reasons rather than injury. Defender Dies Janse, who has been out of the squad in recent weeks, returns to the group for the game in Dublin.
While Ko Itakura, Josip Ĺ utalo, and Rayane Bounida are still absent due to injury. There are no major surprises in MĂchel Sánchez’s selection, with  Mika Godts still included despite ongoing transfer speculation.
The opening game of the Eredivisie saw Ajax run out 2-0 winners on Sunday at Zwolle. The hosts held Ajax off until the 76th minute when Jorthy Mokio opened the scoring before Julian Brandt notched a second in injury time.
Analysis
Sunday’s 2–1 league loss to St Patrick’s didn’t offer much encouragement that Shelbourne are about to flip the script, but they did find the net again for the seventh time in the last eight games.
Shelbourne are known for their aggressive high press, and that approach could unsettle Ajax. Russell’s side like to swarm the ball early, closing passing lanes and forcing opponents into rushed decisions. When they press in numbers, they can disrupt build-up play and create turnovers in dangerous areas.
Ajax’s possession‑based style invites pressure, and if their midfield rotations aren’t sharp, the Irish may find moments to pounce. With the tighter pitch and the crowd right on top of the action, Shels’ intensity could push Ajax into mistakes, giving the home side a real chance to force errors and create openings.
For the Dutch giants, their defence can be breached like it was last week in the first leg. The 2-0 win against PEC Zwolle at the weekend was the first clean sheet in six games. They had to thank Marc ter Stegen, their new goalkeeper on loan from Barcelona, making two excellent saves.
The performance showed a team still learning its manager’s demands. One of Ajax’s biggest strengths is their tactical intent. MĂchel wants a proactive, possession‑heavy approach, built on a midfield with three vertical layers. This structure is designed to give Ajax control through constant passing options and natural rotations. When it works, Ajax look fluid and dominant, able to dictate the rhythm of the match.
Their pressing game is another major asset. Ajax used a 4‑4‑2 diamond‑like shape to hunt the ball high up the pitch, with Davy Klaassen playing a crucial role. His ability to read transitions and manage the spaces between lines helped Ajax disrupt the opponent’s buildup and win the ball in dangerous areas. When the press clicks, Ajax can suffocate teams and create chances from turnovers, I see this happening throughout night at Tolka Park.
However, the weaknesses were just as visible. The squad still lacks standout individual quality in certain positions — the kind of players who can turn tactical advantages into decisive moments. This gap meant that, despite good build-up structures at the weekend, Ajax didn’t always convert their dominance into clear chances. The overall fluidity wasn’t where MĂchel wants it to be.
Prediction
Last week I bottled backing Both Teams to Score in the first leg, and it’s a mistake I won’t make again. Ajax, whatever side they put out, will win the game, but Shelbourne to get on the scoresheet gives us a healthy price of 2.75 at Bet365.
| ⚽️ Ajax win/Both Teams to Score 💷 1pt Best Odds: 2.75 at Bet365 |
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