AEK Athens FC vs Shamrock Rovers prediction: EUROPE: Conference League – League phase betting tips on match 2025-11-05 17:45.
[p]This UEFA Conference League clash sees AEK Athens play Shamrock Rovers, who have just won their domestic league title despite struggling lately.[/p]
[p]Match News and Current Form[/p]
[p]After losing in the opening round, AEK thrashed Aberdeen 6-0 on matchday two of the Conference League to equal their biggest-ever European victory, and have continued in more or less the same vein since, winning two of their three subsequent games without conceding (L1), although they needed injury-time goals to prevail 1-0 on both occasions! Having kept six clean sheets in their last eight home fixtures (W7, D1), the Greek outfit are certainly hard to break down at the OPAP Arena, where they have a 100% record in the Conference League (W7).[/p]
[p]This is Rovers’ third Conference League group/league phase, but they have started poorly this season, losing 4-1 to Sparta Prague and 2-0 to Celje to leave them already up against it if they are to match last term’s achievement of reaching the knockout-phase play-offs. At least they have something to celebrate having just clinched their record-extending 22nd Irish top-flight title, although they stumbled over the line and have tasted victory in only one of their last six fixtures in all competitions (L5), so the Hoops may instead draw inspiration from having won three of their last five European away games (L2).[/p]
[p]Head-to-Head History[/p]
[p]AEK have never faced Irish opposition, while Rovers have lost their four previous encounters with Greek teams, all of them against PAOK while conceding at least twice on each occasion.[/p]
[p]Hot Stats and Streaks[/p]
[p]AEK have scored a competition-high four times before the 30th minute in this season’s Conference League league phase.[/p]
[p]AEK have only lost one of their last 12 matches played on a Thursday (W6, D5).[/p]
[p]Four of Shamrock’s last six fixtures have produced under 2.5 goals.[/p]
[p]Each of Shamrock’s last four Conference League league phase away games saw both teams score.[/p]
[p]Key Players to Watch and Missing Players[/p]
[p]OrbelĂn Pineda was AEK’s matchwinner at the weekend, but he might be more likely to be their creative spark in this encounter, as he has registered three assists in the Conference League this term – all of them at home before the 50th minute. A Dylan Watts goal could be a good omen for Shamrock, as they have won on each of his last six goalscoring appearances, with three of his last five strikes having arrived between half-time and the 60th minute.[/p]
[p]AEK seemingly have no new injury concerns, while Shamrock’s Josh Honohan is doubtful for this outing having been rested on Saturday due to an ongoing issue.[/p]
[p]For all the latest team news, please check the Flashscore match centre.[/p]
[p]Betting Analysis[/p]
[p]The hosts are massive favourites here, and given their thrashing of Aberdeen, our tip is to back AEK to win by at least three clear goals.[/p]
[p][i]Author: John Pennington[/i][/p]