Prediction: Shamrock Rovers to win 2-0
Best Odds: 54/5
Shamrock Rovers and Vikingur Reykjavik will lock horns with each other in the UEFA Champions League First Qualifying Round this week. The second leg of the tie between the League of Ireland Premier Division club and the Besta deild karla team will be held at the Tallaght Stadium in South Dublin. It is scheduled to kick off at 8 pm UK time on Tuesday. The first leg of the tie was played out in Iceland last week. It ended in a goalless draw.
Shamrock Rovers
Shamrock Rovers are the biggest, the most well-known and most successful club in the Republic Of Ireland. They have won the League of Ireland Premier Division as many as 21 times and the FAI Cup on 25 occasions.
Stephen Bradley’s side will be determined to progress to the next stage of the UEFA Champions League Qualifying Round. It will see them earn £1.5 million – that is quite a lot of money for a club based in the Republic of Ireland.
The Rovers did well in the first leg against Vikingur Reykjavik last week. A goalless draw away from home in Iceland gives them the edge heading into the second leg at home this week. It was also the first time that the Hoops had kept a clean sheet in Europe since their 0-0 draw with Djurgarden in the 2022-23 Europa Conference League group stage.
Team News:
Shamrock Rovers are likely to line up in a 3-4-2-1 forward. Pohls will be in goal for the home team and will have Lopes, Cleary and Hoare in front of him in defence. Honohan, O’Neill, Watts and Clarke will be the four midfielders. Kenny and Byrne will be deployed in attacking midfield. Greene will lead the line for Rovers.
Vikingur Reykjavik
Vikingur Reykjavik are a modest club in European terms. The Vikes are one of the oldest clubs in Iceland and have been successful as well. They have clinched the Besta deild karla on seven occasions and have Icelandic Men’s Football Cup five times.
Arnar Gunnlaugsson’s side will be disappointed that they could not win the first leg of the tie against Shamrock Rovers last week. A goalless draw in front of their fans in Iceland leaves them in a very tricky position in terms of trying to get through to the next stage of the UEFA Champions League qualifying campaign.
Vikingur won the 2023 Besta deild karla title. They ended the season with 59 points from 22 matches, ending up as many 14 points ahead of second-placed Valur.
Team News:
Vikingur Reykjavik are likely to line up in a 4-3-3 formation. Jonsson will be in goal for the club from Iceland. Gunnarsson, Ekroth, Vatchamar and Fjoluson will in defence. Djuric, Punyed and Sigurpalsson will be the three midfielders. Agnarsson, Hansen and Ingimundarson are likely to be the three forwards.
Key Factors to Consider
- Shamrock Rovers have won 2 of their last 6 matches in all competitions.
- Shamrock Rovers have lost 3 of their last 6 matches in all competitions.
- Vikingur Reykjavik have won 1 of their last 3 games in all competitions.
- Vikingur Reykjavik have lost 1 of their last 3 games in all competitions.
- Shamrock Rovers have drawn 2 of their last 6 matches in all competitions.
Conclusion
Shamrock Rovers are a well-known club and have a decent team. Playing at home will give the club from the Republic of Ireland team a good chance to win the tie on aggregate, and it is very likely that Stephen Bradley’s side will get the job done.
Prediction: Shamrock Rovers to win 2-0
Best Odds: 54/5
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