How to watch today's Shelbourne vs Linfield Champions League qualifying game: Live stream, TV channel, and start time

League of Ireland champions Shelbourne and Irish Premiership winners Linfield square off on Wednesday night at Tolka Park in Dublin for the first leg of their UEFA Champions League qualification tie.

It's a mouth-watering opener featuring the Republic's League of Ireland champions and Northern Ireland’s top dogs, both keen to make early waves in Europe.

Shelbourne enter the tie following a steady, if not spectacular, league run. Sitting fifth in the League of Ireland on 35 points, Joey O'Brien's men have built a reputation for being hard to break down, especially on home soil. They proved last season they could punch above their weight in continental competition, frustrating more fancied opponents with their disciplined approach.

Linfield, meanwhile, romped to the Irish Premiership title last term but arrived slightly off rhythm. The Belfast outfit have stumbled in recent outings, dropping three of their last five matches. And with the new NIFL season yet to begin, concerns linger over their sharpness and fitness heading into this high-stakes battle.

Here GOAL brings you everything you need to know about how to watch, including TV channel, streaming details and more.

How to watch Shelbourne vs Linfield online - TV channels & live streams

	BBC iPlayer	Watch here
	Premier Sports 1	Watch here
	BBC Sport Website	Watch here

The UEFA Champions League qualification match between Shelbourne and Linfield will be available to watch and stream online live through BBC iPlayer, Premier Sports 1 and BBC sports website in the UK.

Check out GOAL's Live Match Centre for updates.

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Shelbourne vs Linfield kick-off time

Champions League Qualification - Champions League Qualification

Tolka Park

The UEFA Champions League qualification match between Shelbourne and Linfield will be played at Tolka Park in Dublin, Ireland.

It will kick off at 7:45 pm BST on Wednesday, July 9, 2025.

Team news & squads

Shelbourne vs Linfield lineups

Shelbourne

4-4-2

Formation

4-3-3

LIN

1

C. Kearns

29

P. Barrett

27

E. Caffrey

4

K. Ledwidge

18

J. Norris

7

H. Wood

8

M. Coyle

23

K. McInroy

6

J. Lunney

11

A. Odubeko

14

A. Coote

1

C. Johns

15

B. Hall

34

D. McCullough

67

M. Orr

3

E. East

22

J. Mulgrew

21

J. Archer

27

E. McGee

38

C. Morrison

7

K. Millar

29

M. Fitzpatrick

4-3-3

LIN

SHE

-Line up

• 1

  C. Kearns

• 29

  P. Barrett

• 27

  E. Caffrey

  56’

• 4

  K. Ledwidge

• 18

  J. Norris

  56’

• 7

  H. Wood

  77’

• 8

  M. Coyle

• 23

  K. McInroy

• 6

  J. Lunney

• 11

  A. Odubeko

  58’

  88’

• 14

  A. Coote

  56’

Substitutes

• 24

  L. Temple

• 44

  D. Ring

• 5

  E. Chapman

  77’

  90’ + 4’

• 17

  D. Kelly

  56’

• 19

  L. Healy

• 3

  T. Wilson

  56’

• 50

  A. Topcu

• 9

  S. Boyd

  56’

  58’

• 10

  J. Martin

  88’

• 49

  R. Offor

• 16

  J. O'Sullivan

• 15

  S. Bone

Manager

• J. O'Brien

LIN

-Line up

• 1

  C. Johns

• 15

  B. Hall

• 34

  D. McCullough

• 67

  M. Orr

• 3

  E. East

• 22

  J. Mulgrew

  19’

  72’

• 21

  J. Archer

  17’

• 27

  E. McGee

• 38

  C. Morrison

  72’

• 7

  K. Millar

• 29

  M. Fitzpatrick

Substitutes

• 4

  S. Whiteside

• 36

  R. Annett

• 2

  S. Roscoe-Byrne

• 17

  C. McKee

  72’

• 9

  K. Offord

  72’

• 37

  R. McKay

• 51

  D. Walsh

• 10

  C. Allen

• 24

  S. Brown

Manager

• D. Healy

Shelbourne team news

Shelbourne will have to make do without Sean Gannon on Wednesday night, with the seasoned defender still sidelined due to a three-match UEFA suspension carried over from last summer. That opens the door once again for skipper Mark Coyle to anchor a potential back three.

Harry Wood looks like a nailed-on starter after making an immediate impact in their recent clash with Cork, scoring and teeing up Mipo Odubeko within the first six minutes. The 22-year-old Odubeko, a product of West Ham and Marítimo's youth systems, has quietly become a key piece in Shelbourne's frontline, notching six goals and two assists in 2025. With seven total goal involvements, he's been a consistent threat, meaning Sean Boyd may have to settle for a seat on the bench again.

Linfield team news

Over in the Linfield camp, Robbie McDaid remains a fitness doubt after missing Friday's defeat through injury, while midfield general Chris Shields will sit this one out due to suspension.

However, the Blues can still count on the experience of club legend Jamie Mulgrew, who's set to extend his record-breaking tally of European appearances, already standing at 58.

Meanwhile, young forward Rhys Annett will likely start among the substitutes, but he'll be itching to make up for his Charity Shield penalty miss that proved costly for Linfield.

Form

Head-to-Head Record

Standings

Useful links

• Latest betting updates
• UEFA Champions League qualification fixtures & results
• Shelbourne team page
• Linfield team page
• Football on TV in the UK