Shamrock Rovers vs TNS prediction: EUROPE: Conference League – League phase betting tips on match 2024-11-06 17:45.
[p]The UEFA Conference League returns to Tallaght Stadium with Shamrock Rovers in the midst of some serious soul searching after Shelbourne cruelly denied them what would have been a record fifth consecutive Irish title last Friday. Despite their anti-climactic domestic end, Shamrock enter the second of their three European clashes against British opponents on the back of five consecutive victories and will hope to continue in that vein against Welsh outfit The New Saints.[/p]
[p]One of those wins came in this competition against Northern Irish opponents Larne, as Shamrock remained on track to become the first Irish side to reach the knockout stages of a major European competition (W1, D1). Overcoming some frustrating home form in this competition will be key here (D3, L3) in what is only Shamrock’s third clash against Welsh opposition, and their first since failing to win against Cardiff in the 1960s (D1, L1). [/p]
[p]TNS also enter this clash on the back of a dominant run of victories which have seen them push for the peak of the Cymru Premier, reach the last 32 of the Welsh FA Cup, and become the first Welsh side to win a European group game (W7). The last of those recent achievements has prompted boss Craig Harrison to target the knockout phase, although they’ll need to overcome their clear underdog status to strengthen those claims here. [/p]
[p]Playing away from home won’t particularly faze TNS, who are entering their fourth consecutive game on the road. The visitors have scored ten goals across their previous three trips, although their failure to score in four of their last six European games at any venue suggests this challenge will be much more difficult than facing their domestic peers. [/p]
[p]Players to watch: Shamrock’s Graham Burke has directly contributed to three of their five Conference League goals so far (G1, A2), with the feisty forward also receiving three yellow cards across his last seven competitive appearances. Beginning his career at Derry, TNS’ Rory Holden scored decisively for their first ever European main draw win against Astana in the previous round and also won in his only prior encounter with Shamrock early in his career.[/p]
[p]Hot stat: Five of TNS’ last six competitive away games saw both teams to score and over 2.5 total goals. [/p]
[p][i]Written by Matthew Billon[/i][/p]