Prediction: Teuta Durrës vs Shamrock Rovers

Verdict: Shamrock Rovers win

Best Odds: 1/1

Bookmaker: Unibet

Looking to finish off the job when they make the trip out to Albania on Thursday night, Shamrock Rovers will face off against Teuta Durrës as they look to extend on their Europa Conference League adventure.

Teuta Durrës

Starting with the hosts, while Teuta Durrës might have managed to mount that stunning comeback on foreign soil a fortnight ago, it appears that might have just been a minor boost for The Blues. Coming from 2-0 down in their first-leg meeting against Andora’s Inter Club d’Escaldes, Head Coach Edi Martini saw his side mount a real resurge as they eventually landed an action-packed extra-time victory. However, despite making the trip out to Ireland last week with the mood in their camp at a real high following that dramatic winner on the road, the defending Kategoria Superiore champions failed to build off of that momentum. Hugely outplayed away at Shamrock and failing to muster a single shot on target, Durrësakët were hit with a deserved 1-0 loss on foreign soil. Knowing that they are seeking another minor miracle on Thursday night, Martini’s men have now lost four of their last five European contests after dropping down from the Champions League qualifiers last month.

Team News

Coming off the bench in Ireland last week, the likes of Ildi Gruda and Pepi Gorgiev could be pushing for a start on Thursday night.

Picking up a pair of bookings in the first-leg, both Jackson and Asion Daja are one yellow card from a ban.

Shamrock Rovers

As for the visitors, while Teuta Durrës find themselves in the midst of an extended blip, the same cannot be said for a high-flying Shamrock Rovers. Making the trip out to Albania on Thursday night with the mood in their camp at a real high, the Irish champions should be confident of finishing off the job on foreign soil. Sat in pole position to claim back-to-back domestic crowns this season, The Hoops also picked up some perfect momentum last weekend. Landing what was a routine 1-0 victory against Longford Town, Head Coach Stephen Bradley has been filled with praise for his side’s displays on their extended purple patch. Still boosted by that thumping win against main title rivals St. Patrick’s Athletic on July 30th, Bradley will also be impressed by his side’s continued stability at the back. Winning each of their last six straight contests across all formats, it should also be highlighted that Shamrock have conceded just a single goal in over 400 minutes of action.

Team News

Given a break over the weekend, former West Ham and Bolton defender Joey O’Brien should make his return on Thursday night.

Likewise, coming off the bench against Longford last time out, the attacking duo of Rory Gaffney and Daniel Mandroiu should come back in.

Key Factors to Consider

• When the two sides faced off in the first-leg last week, Shamrock landed themselves a deserved 1-0 victory on home soil.
• Likewise, the Irish champions are enjoying a six-match winning run across all formats.
• More impressive, they have conceded just a single goal in over 400 minutes of action.
• Teuta Durrës have lost four of their last five European contests.
• Thursday’s hosts have also failed to bag themselves a single goal in any of those four defeats.

Conclusion

Putting in what was a professional display in their first-leg meeting last week and more than deserving of their 1-0 victory, there is no doubt that Shamrock should be looking to finish off the job in midweek. Enjoying what has been a real purple patch and now in the midst of a six-match winning run across all formats, the Irish champions have also gained a reputation for their rugged performances at the back. Conceding just a single goal in over 400 minutes of action and not allowing a single shot on their goal last week, a struggling Teuta Durrës look set to face another tough test on Albania. Heavily outplayed in the first-leg and now losing four of their last five European outings, we’re backing Shamrock to extend on their Europa Conference League adventure in midweek.

Verdict: Shamrock Rovers win

Best Odds: 1/1

Bookmaker: Unibet