Conference League
2026-08-13 - Shelbourne vs Ajax
A Sports Betting Pick by Auls
Football: UEFA Conference League Third Qualifying Round Second Leg
Thursday 13th August 2026 - Kick Off 7:45pm
Shelbourne
Much like you would see in the FA Cup, the draw for this Conference League Third Qualifying Round tie would have excited all associated with Shelbourne, but with the firm expectations of being the underdog. They were second best by a margin in Amsterdam last week, but a late goal has just offered up some hope for Shelbourne who returned home 3-1 behind.
This is the third consecutive season in which Shelbourne have played in European Football, but it will be tough to return to the stage without a significant improvement domestically. Last season was a memorable one as Shelbourne made it through to the Conference League Group Stage, while the team crushed Nomme Kalju 5-2 at home in the Second Qualifying Round.
Shelbourne have lost all 4 games played in all competitions since that win over Nomme Kalju, which will have dented confidence. They fell to a 1-2 home defeat to St. Patricks this past weekend and that result means Shelbourne have lost half of the last 4 fixtures played in front of the supporters.
Ajax
After the disappointment of 2025/26, Ajax will be expected to return to the level that would have them challenging for a return to the Champions League from the Dutch top flight. With the history behind this club, fans will always expect more and will be urging the team to go for the title, but there is a gap to make up after dropping to 5th last season and 28 points behind Champions PSV Eindhoven.
The season has begun as hoped with Ajax looking to make progress into the Conference League Group Stage, while also managing domestic commitments after the Dutch Eredivise got underway last weekend. Conceding late in Amsterdam may have offered the opponent some encouragement, but Ajax still have a big advantage and that makes them very strong favourites to progress.
Ajax won 0-2 at Zwolle last weekend to open the Dutch League campaign and that means they have won all 4 matches played this season. The side are unbeaten in 6 away from home in all competitions and Ajax have won 4 of those matches.
Head to Head
This will be the first time these two teams are meeting in a competitive fixture hosted by Shelbourne.
Prediction
It looked like Ajax were cruising as they held a three goal lead late into the First Leg, but they have offered the tiny glimmer of hope to Shelbourne by conceding late on.
The reality is that it is not expected to change the final outcome and Ajax were considerably better than Shelbourne.
Things should be tougher away from home and Ajax may rotate the squad, but they should be clearly the superior team and that should show up in the final score.
Shelbourne did make the League Phase of the Conference League last season, but they are not in great form and they will need the visiting team to underperform to make this Second Leg more competitive than the First.
The home team will likely give this a go, which should aid Ajax to exploit spaces and the Dutch giants were convincing away winners in the last Round and can secure a comfortable Second Leg victory here.
The Pick :
Shelbourne 1-4 Ajax
