Verdict: Shamrock Rovers win
Best Odds: 4/11
Bookmaker: Unibet
Desperate to pick up a first-leg advantage on Tuesday night, Shamrock Rovers will welcome Maltese outfit Hibernians to Tallaght Stadium.
Shamrock Rovers
Starting with the hosts, managing to pick keep up their real domestic purple patch last weekend, Shamrock will be desperate to keep up that momentum here. Picking up a 1-0 victory against the Finn Harps on their travels a few days ago, Head Coach Stephen Bradley finds his side sat firmly in pole position to claim another domestic crown this season. Now in enjoying a three-match Premier Division winning run, the Rovers will be smelling the chance to lay down another marker here when they turn their attention back to Champions League duties. Proving that their close-fought 1-0 loss away at Dundalk on June 17th was just a minor blip, Shamrock have continued to shine on home soil. It should be highlighted, Tuesday’s hosts have not lost a single contest at Tallaght Stadium since the end of August. Winning their last three home fixtures by an aggregate score of 4-0, Bradley’s men rightfully open their first-leg showdown tipped as a standout pick with the bookmakers.
Team News
Still dealing with a calf injury that has kept him on the sidelines since May, Shamrock will be without Jack Byrne on Tuesday night.
Likewise, the Irish champions are also sweating over the fitness of Neil Farrugia.
Hibernians
As for the visitors, while Hibernians might have also claimed yet another domestic crown last season, the Maltese outfit have failed to find much stability over recent weeks. Signing off their regular-season run with back-to-back 2-1 losses against Floriana and Gzira, Head Coach Stefano Sanderra will know that his side faces a stern test on Tuesday night. Last seen playing out a 2-2 draw against Gzira in a friendly showdown on June 28th as they failed to pick up any real momentum, the Whites are in the midst of a four-match winless run across all formats. Tipped as a real underdog when they make the trip to Tallaght Stadium for their first-leg showdown, it should be noted that Hibernians hold a worrying Champions League record on foreign soil. Hit with a 2-0 loss against Flora last year as they came crashing out at the group stage phase, Sanderra’s men have lost five of their last six European contests outside of Paola.
Team News
Both arriving at Hibernians this summer, the duo of Lorenzo Fonseca and Andreas Laursen could be in for a start here.
Sanderra’s side make the trip to Ireland on Tuesday night with no fresh injury issues to worry about.
Key Factors to Consider
- Tuesday’s meeting at Tallaght Stadium is the first showdown between Shamrock Rovers and Hibernians.
- Shamrock are unbeaten on home soil since way back on August 26th.
- Hibernians have lost five of their last six Champions League matchups on home soil, shipping over 1.5 goals in each of those defeats.
- Tuesday’s hosts have won their last three domestic home fixtures by an aggregate score of 4-0.
- Hibernians have failed to win any of their last four matchups across all formats continuing on from last season.
Conclusion
In the midst of what has been a real domestic purple patch this season and appearing to storm their way towards another domestic crown, Shamrock will be confident of keeping up that momentum here. Tipped as a standout pick with the bookmakers on Tuesday night, the Irish heavyweights have also continued to shine with their displays on home soil. Remarkably unbeaten in front of their own supporters since the end of August, the midweek hosts will be looking to cash in on a downbeat Hibernians side. With the Maltese outfit losing five of their last six Champions League contests on foreign soil, we’re backing a home victory for Shamrock here.
Verdict: Shamrock Rovers win
Best Odds: 4/11
Bookmaker: Unibet
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