Larne vs Shamrock Rovers prediction: EUROPE: Conference League – League phase betting tips on match 2024-10-23 16:45.
[p]One of the most interesting games of UEFA Conference League matchday two sees an all-Irish affair with Northern Ireland’s first UEFA league/group stage representatives Larne welcoming Republic of Ireland champions Shamrock Rovers to Windsor Park in Belfast. Hampered by smaller budgets than their southern rivals, Larne boss Tiernan Lynch admitted “there is a gap” between the neighbouring nations, which is reflected in Larne being priced as outsiders despite their home advantage.[/p]
[p]Lynch also had a lot to think about after his side fell to a third winless game over the weekend, a run which began with a 3-0 humbling by Molde in their Conference League proper debut (D1, L2). Reversing that form would be massive in what is their first ever clash against a side from the Republic of Ireland, although the fact that they have won five of their nine European home games within 90 minutes (L4) suggests they’ll be up for the challenge.[/p]
[p]Four-time consecutive Irish champions Shamrock Rovers enter this on the back of consecutive wins to nil after drawing their European opener, but face having to balance this competition with defending their league title in its final two rounds. Winning here in Belfast won’t necessarily be simple as, despite the comparable level of opposition, Rovers travel here on the back of an 11-game winless Conference League run (D3, L8). [/p]
[p]That includes five straight away defeats, the last four of which saw Rovers concede 11 times without reply. Many will expect better given their domestic dominance, where they at least found the net in each of their last five away games on Irish soil (W3, D1, L1). Only twice have Rovers faced opposition from Northern Ireland, a pair of draws against Linfield way back in 1984/85. [/p]
[p]Players to watch: Benji Magee scored Larne’s only goal across their last three games and despite this game being in the relatively unfamiliar surroundings of Windsor Park, his last six goals came in home action. As for Rovers, Johnny Kenny scored his team’s first goal in each of his 12 scoring appearances since the start of the 2024 league season. [/p]
[p]Hot stat: One goal was scored beyond the 80th minute in each of Shamrock’s last five competitive away games. [/p]
[p][i]Written by Matthew Billon[/i][/p]