Prediction: Shamrock Rovers vs Ferencvaros

Prediction: Shamrock Rovers to win 2-1

Best Odds: 10/1

Bookmaker: Betfair

Shamrock Rovers and Ferencvaros will face each other in the second leg of the UEFA Europa League playoffs this week. The first leg of the tie was held at Ferencváros Stadion in Budapest and ended in a 4-0 win for Ferencvaros. The second leg will take place at Tallaght Stadium in Dublin and is scheduled to kick off at 8pm UK time on Thursday.

Shamrock Rovers

Shamrock Rovers are in a really tough position as far as qualifying for the group stage of the UEFA Europa League is concerned. The League of Ireland Premier Division club suffered a 4-0 defeat to Ferencvaros away from home in the first leg of the playoff tie. It is not going to be easy for Stephen Bradley’s side to overturn that deficit even though they will have a strong fanbase to support them.

Rovers, though, are doing well on the domestic front at the moment. The Hoops beat Dundalk 3-0 at the Tallaght Stadium this past weekend to get closer to winning the League of Ireland Premier Division yet again. Bradley’s side won the title last season as well after picking up 78 points from 36 matches, and are now seven points clear of second-placed Dundalk at the top of the 2022 League of Ireland Premier Division table with a game in hand.

Team News:

Aaron Greene and Rory Gaffney scored against Dundalk in the 2022 League of Ireland Premier Division game this past weekend, and they are likely to start against Ferencvaros on Thursday evening. Alan Mannus, Sean Hoare, Sean Kavanagh and Gary O’Neill all are also available.

Ferencvaros

Ferencvaros have one foot in the UEFA Europa League group stage already. The Hungarian club got the better of Shamrock Rovers 4-0 at Ferencváros Stadion in Budapest in the first leg, and they will head into the second leg of the tie high on confidence.

Stanislav Cherchesov’s side won the 2021–22 Nemzeti Bajnokság I campaign with 71 points from 33 matches. They picked up 12 more points than their nearest rivals Kisvárda. Ferencvaros won the league title in Hungary in 2020-21 as well – by 20 points. In fact, Ferencvaros have won the championship title in their country for the past four seasons.

Team News:

Adam Bogdan, Aïssa Laïdouni, Dénes Dibusz,  Mats Knoester, Endre Botka, Lóránd Pászka, Muhamed Bešić, Carlos Auzqui and Marquinhos all arę available for Ferencvaros.

Key Factors to Consider

• Shamrock Rovers have won 4 of their last 6 competitive matches.
• Shamrock Rovers have won 2 of their last 3 Europa League qualifying matches.
• Shamrock Rovers have lost 1 one of their last 6 competitive games.
• Ferencvaros have won their last 2 competitive games.
• Ferencvaros have lost just 1 of their last 6 competitive games.

Conclusion

Ferencvaros have a healthy lead in the left from the first leg, and it is hard to see them give away that advantage in the second leg. Yes, they might lose the second leg of the playoff tie, but it is really tough to envisage the Hungarian team concede as many as four goals to Shamrock Rovers.

Prediction: Shamrock Rovers to win 2-1

Best Odds: 10/1

Bookmaker: Betfair