Prediction: Celje vs Shamrock Rovers

Verdict: Both teams to score

Best Odds: 5/6

Bookmaker: Olympusbet

Two camps who will be desperate to claim a first-leg advantage on Thursday night, Shamrock Rovers will travel to Slovenia when they meet Celje.

Celje

Starting with the hosts, dragging themselves to what was just a second domestic crown last season, Celje will be looking spring another public upset this time around. However, despite getting the 2024/25 campaign underway with a hard-fought 2-1 victory at home against Bravo on July 21st, Albert Riera’s men do have the feel of a squad seeking some welcomed stability. Watching their Champions League qualifying adventure come to an abrupt end last month as they slumped to a 6-1 aggregate defeat at the hands of Slovan Bratislava, the Counts have shown some extended issues at the back. Failing to pick up any kind of momentum last weekend as they were hit with a 1-0 loss away at Mura, the former Bordeaux boss has seen his squad muster just a single clean sheet from any of their previous nine appearances across all competitions continuing on from last season.

Team News

Shown a first-half red card while in Champions League qualifying action against Slovan Bratislava on July 30th, Slovenian defender Damjan Vuklisevic will miss out through suspension on Thursday night. One-time Newcastle starlet Rolando Aarons will feature in the final third after leaving Huddersfield earlier in the year.

Arriving from Italian giants Inter Milan this summer, 20-year-old Samo Matjaz could make his Celje debut here. Despite waiting to open his account since getting the 2024/25 campaign underway, Brazilian marksmen Edmilson will lead Riera’s attack in midweek.

Shamrock Rovers

As for the visitors, although Shamrock might have made real history last season as they stormed their way to a fourth consecutive Premier Division crown, the Rovers have come crashing back down to earth this time around. Despite drawing a line under their three-match losing rut last week as they secured a 2-1 victory against Waterford, Stephen Bradley’s men have drastically struggled to find any kind of fluidity. Failing to collect consecutive victories across any competition since the middle of April, the Irish giants have also shown their own respective defensive struggles. Watching their Champions League qualifying adventure come to an end last month as they suffered a 6-2 aggregate defeat against Sparta Prague, Shamrock have registered just a sole clean sheet away from the Tallaght Stadium since the end of May.

Team News

In what could prove to be a huge boost for Shamrock on Thursday night, the Rovers are hopeful that leading marksmen Johnny Kenny can make a full return here. However, still dealing with respective injury issues, Bradley’s men will be unable to call upon the duo of Rory Gaffney and Aaron McEneff in midweek.

Coming off the bench and bagging the winner against Waterford last week, former Preston striker Graham Burke could make a first start since June 28th. One-time Brighton misfit Richard Towell will likely be forced to settle for a spot on the bench over in Slovenia.

Key Factors to Consider

• Thursday’s battle between Celje and Shamrock is their first offical meeting.
• Celje have recorded just a single clean sheet from any of their previous nine appearances across all competitions continuing on from last season.
• Likewise, Shamrock have recorded just a single clean sheet outside of Dublin since the end of May.
• Each of Celje’s last four competitive showdowns on home soil have finished with both teams finding the net.
• The Rovers have failed to record back-to-back victories across any competition since the middle of April.

Conclusion

Managing to claim a crucial response last week as they snatched a 2-1 victory away at Waterford, Shamrock will be desperate to use that performance as a platform to build on. However, drastically struggling to find any kind of stability since opening up the 2024 campaign, the Rovers will know the importance of keeping themselves in their Europa League qualifying battle on Thursday night. It should be noted, with Celje seeing their last four competitive showdowns on home soil have finish with both teams getting on the scoresheet, we are expecting a similar outcome.

Verdict: Both teams to score

Best Odds: 5/6

Bookmaker: Olympusbet