Shkendija vs Shelbourne Prediction: Skopje stalemate suits Shels

Uefa Conference League action comes from North Macedonia as Irish side Shelbourne make the trip to face Shkendija in the capital Skopje on Thursday evening (20:00 BST, TNT Sports Extra). Both clubs are featuring in the league phase of a European competition for the first time and are searching for their maiden goals at this stage.

Shelbourne, though, have a point on the board after a stalemate with Hacken in Dublin, while Shkendija were beaten 2-0 at Rayo Vallecano on matchday one. Read on for my Shkendija vs Shelbourne predictions, supported by the latest team news and match odds.

Team News

The hosts appear to have a clean bill of health for this maiden home game in the main phase of a European competition, albeit they are playing in the capital, Skopje, not in their own ground.

Besart Ibraimi is very much in the twilight of his career now at 38 years old, but he remains as captain and talisman for Shkendija up front, while Reshat Ramadani is a promising young midfielder.

Football Odds

Shels are missing defender Sam Bone and goalkeeper Conor Kearns, while English duo Harry Wood and James Norris are hoping to come back in after being benched for the win over Sligo Rovers on Friday. Both started against Hacken.

Shkendija vs Shelbourne Odds

Shkendija are edging favouritism at 11/10 while the visiting Shels can be backed at 12/5 to take three points and the draw is rated 11/5.

Over 2.5 goals in Skopje can be backed at 11/10, and both teams to score is priced at 5/6.

Draw @ 9/4

Shels boss Joey O'Brien admitted the draw with Hacken in Dublin was a 'cat and mouse affair' and something similar could play out now against a home side with a record of conceding few goals – just four in nine in their domestic league so far.

Shelbourne were solid defensively against Hacken, but also offered a threat going forward, too.

The North Macedonian league is ranked 51st while the League of Ireland is 31st, and so last season's Irish champions should fancy collecting something here.

Besart Ibraimi anytime goalscorer @ 9/5

If the hosts are to get their breakthrough goal in the competition, former 16-cap North Macedonian international Besart Ibraimi could be the difference-maker.

He's 38 now but leads the line and captains the side. He started the domestic season with a brace in August, netted in the Europa League qualifier win over Ludogorets on home soil, and was on target from the penalty spot in last month's league win over Sileks.

He'll be on spot-kicks again now and is a wily campaigner who could cause problems for Shels.

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