Shamrock Rovers vs Djurgarden prediction: EUROPE: Europa Conference League – Group Stage betting tips on match 2022-09-07 19:00.
Irelandâs most successful club commence their 30th season in a UEFA competition in less than ideal shape after a 1-0 weekend loss away to Bohemians, which Shamrock Rovers boss Stephen Bradley described as potentially their worst performance in his six-year tenure. Pride and history are now on the line as Rovers engage in their first group stage of any European competition since the 2011/12 Europa League (UEL).
Bradley openly admitted that vast improvement will be needed to take points in a rematch of their 2002/03 UEFA Cup meeting with DjurgĂ„rdens IF, which saw the Swedish outfit win both legs by a two-goal margin. Since Roversâ most recent 2+ goal loss at home in a UEFA fixture – 2-0 to AC Milan in the 2020/21 UEL – the Irish club have won an impressive six of their last seven home fixtures in any UEFA competition, so Bradley will hope a return to Tallaght could produce a favourable result.
DjurgĂ„rdens are one of three Allsvenskan clubs to employ dual managers, and itâll be a UEFA group stage debut for both Kim Bergstrand and Thomas Lagerlöf after more than ten years together at two different clubs. After defeating their previous club (Sirius) at the weekend, the pair are one point off the top of the Allsvenskan standings two-thirds into the season, complimenting a strong five wins from their six UECL qualifiers (L1).
Whilst the consistency of 14 wins from 17 matches across all competitions since the beginning of June should buoy the visitors ahead of their first UEFA group stage since the 1996 Intertoto Cup, the away trips will almost certainly be the three most vulnerable of their six games. DjurgĂ„rdensâ last five draws or losses across all competitions have been recorded away from home, perhaps indicating their favourites tag may not be worn very well.
Players to watch: Dylan Watts was the only Rovers player to score in two of their four home European fixtures this season, but those were his only two goals since February 2022. Joel Asoro scored in three of his last four UECL qualifiers, but with a DjurgÄrdens teammate finding the back of the net before him on all three occasions, his impact may not be immediate.
Hot stat: DjurgÄrdens have completed 38 consecutive competitive matches without a 2+ goal loss.