Shamrock Rovers vs Borac Banja Luka prediction: EUROPE: Conference League – League phase betting tips on match 2024-12-11 20:00.
[p]Shamrock Rovers will be looking to guarantee a play-off berth in this season’s UEFA Conference League when they host Borac Banja Luka on Thursday. Beginning this round unbeaten (W2, D2) and only outside the top-ten by a single point, automatic qualification to the last 16 is not out of the question, something which would represent a huge improvement on either of their previous main draw appearances in UEFA competition which yielded no victories (D2, L10).[/p]
[p]The Hoops are unbeaten in their last four home matches (W3, D1), yet with their domestic season concluding last month, dealing with a lack of match fitness will be important for Shamrock here. Stephen Bradley’s side will also be keen to maximise their returns from this match ahead of a visit to London to take on Chelsea, who themselves have a 100% record ahead of the round, in their final game of the league phase.[/p]
[p]Borac Banja Luka are another side who had a very strong autumn, losing just two of their last 17 matches across all competitions (W13, D2). But they come into this fixture after suffering a 1-0 defeat to domestic title rivals Zrinjski at the weekend, a result they’ll hope doesn’t derail their maiden UEFA main draw appearance after a strong start to the campaign.[/p]
[p]Borac travel to Ireland a point adrift of Shamrock and with a three-point buffer inside the play-off positions (W2, D1, L1). Another win would therefore all-but guarantee their place in the knockout stages, with their impressive progress made all the more surprising by the fact they’ve netted just four times in as many Conference League games this term – only Astana have manager fewer among the top-24 sides.[/p]
[p]Players to watch: Striker Neil Farrugia has been front and centre in Shamrock’s two home fixtures in the league phase, having been sent off against APOEL before assisting in the win over The New Saints. Midfielder Sandi Ogrinec has scored three times across Borac’s last three away games in all competitions, including twice in last week’s win over GOŠK Gabela.[/p]
[p]Hot streak: Shamrock Rovers have failed to keep a clean sheet across their last five home Conference League fixtures.[/p]
[p][i]Written by Tom Penn[/i][/p]