Burkina Faso
Chinese Taipei
Indonesia
Nigeria

Preview: Djurgardens IF vs. Shamrock Rovers - prediction, team news, lineups

sportsmole.co.uk, 1 November 2022, 13:45
Djurgardens IF play host to Shamrock Rovers on Thursday evening having already secured a place in the last 16 of the Europa Conference League.

Meanwhile, Shamrock have already been confirmed in bottom spot, making the fixture in Sweden a dead-rubber for both sides.

Match preview

As one of the minnows to make the group stages, Shamrock have attempted to enjoy a rare extended experience in Europe even when things have not gone their own way.

Stephen Bradley can be pleased with their efforts at home, being the only side to take points off Djurgardens and earning a 1-1 draw with Gent last time out.

Nevertheless, Shamrock have never realistically been in contention for the top two, losing their other two away fixtures by 3-0 scorelines.

With two points on the board, however, Rovers have not disgraced themselves, and they will have the belief that they can test the unbeaten group winners on away territory having already held them to a goalless draw.

Shamrock also head into this match having been crowned as League Of Ireland Premier Division champions over the weekend courtesy of a 1-0 win over second-placed Derry City.

From Djurgarden's perspective, they are currently enjoying the most successful European campaign in their history very much against the odds.

Either Gent or Molde had been expected to win Group F, particularly when the Swedish outfit were held by Shamrock in their opening fixture.

Since then, Kim Bergstrand and Thomas Lagerlof have witnessed their side win four successive matches, three of them coming in thrillers where they have also shipped twice in each fixture.

That included last time out, Djurgarden finding themselves two goals adrift to Molde after just 21 minutes before storming back to win by a 3-2 scoreline.

At a time when they will only finish in second spot in the Swedish top flight, the performances of the Iron Stoves have been remarkable, and they will hope to cap off an eye-catching two months with yet another maximum points.

Djurgardens IF Europa Conference League form:

L

D

W

W

W

W

Djurgardens IF form (all competitions):

W

L

W

W

W

W

Shamrock Rovers Europa Conference League form:

D

L

L

L

D

Shamrock Rovers form (all competitions):

W

L

D

W

D

W

Team News

With top spot secured, there are likely to be changes to the Djurgardens XI, although only Marcus Danielson and Piotr Johansson have started all five group-stage games.

Hjalmar Ekdal could replace the former in the centre of defence, while the trio of Victor Edvardsen, Joel Asoro and Rasmus Schuller may all be rested due to being one yellow card away from a ban.

Magnus Eriksson may return in central midfield, while Karl Holmberg could be handed a rare start down the centre of the attack.

Shamrock will not be able to call upon Justin Ferizaj and Sean Kavanagh after the former was sent off against Gent and the latter collected his third yellow card.

Ferizaj was dismissed after being introduced as a substitute, but Jack Byrne is in line to replace Kavanagh in midfield.

Djurgardens IF possible starting lineup:

Zetterstrom; Johansson, Lofgren, Ekdal, Bengtsson; Finndell; Eriksson, Banda; Asoro, Holmberg, Wikheim

Shamrock Rovers possible starting lineup:

Mannus; Cleary, Pico, Grace; Farrugia, Byrne, Hoare, Lyons; Towell, Gaffney, Ferizaj

We say: Djurgardens IF 2-0 Shamrock Rovers

While both managers will likely take the opportunity to make changes, we do not expect it to influence the end result. Despite their success at the weekend, Shamrock are unlikely to rise to the occasion in Sweden, their hosts playing well enough to coast to another three points.

Previews by email

Top News

23 April 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Premier League duo Manchester United and Arsenal have suffered a blow in their pursuit of Inter Milan striker Lautaro Martinez. 23 April 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Manchester City and Manchester United could face competition from Arsenal for the signature of Newcastle United midfielder Bruno Guimaraes this summer, according to a report. 23 April 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Feyenoord technical director Dennis te Kloese has responded to speculation linking manager Arne Slot with a summer move to Liverpool. 23 April 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Chelsea head coach Mauricio Pochettino has acknowledged that his side were "really bad" during their 5-0 defeat to Arsenal on Tuesday night. 23 April 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Bournemouth will have the opportunity to equal a club record when they travel to Molineux for Wednesday's clash with Wolverhampton Wanderers. 23 April 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Title hopefuls Arsenal have moved three points clear at the top of the Premier League table after putting London rivals Chelsea to the sword 5-0 at the Emirates Stadium on Tuesday night. 23 April 2024 sportsmole.co.uk After surviving an almighty scare in their unforgettable FA Cup semi-final against Coventry City, Manchester United hope for a more stress-free experience against Sheffield United in Wednesday's Premier League clash at Old Trafford. 23 April 2024 sportsmole.co.uk The 244th Merseyside derby takes place at Goodison Park on Wednesday evening, as Premier League relegation battlers Everton welcome title-chasing adversaries Liverpool. 23 April 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Liverpool and West Ham United are reportedly prepared to miss out on the capture of Sporting Lisbon head coach Ruben Amorim. 23 April 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Manchester United are reportedly prepared to accept offers for midfielder Christian Eriksen during the summer transfer window. 23 April 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Liverpool are reportedly interested in recruiting Feyenoord's Arne Slot as a successor to Jurgen Klopp. 23 April 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Sheffield United are reportedly interested in the signing of Luton Town's John McAtee during the summer transfer window. 23 April 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Sheffield United are reportedly interested in the signing of Luton Town's John McAtee during the summer transfer window. 23 April 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Crystal Palace manager Oliver Glasner has confirmed a fresh injury blow to one of his first-team players ahead of Wednesday's Premier League encounter with Newcastle United at Selhurst Park. 23 April 2024 sportsmole.co.uk PSV Eindhoven will look to place one hand on the Eredivisie title when they head to Abe Lenstra Stadion to take on Heerenveen on Thursday evening. 23 April 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Everton will endeavour to end an unwanted club-record run in the Premier League when they lock horns with Liverpool for the Merseyside derby at Goodison Park on Wednesday night. 23 April 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Arsenal are apparently planning to rekindle their interest in a highly-rated Serie A striker after trying and failing to acquire his services in 2022. 23 April 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Barcelona manager Xavi could reportedly make a sensational U-turn on his decision to exit Barcelona after affirming for months that he would not change his mind. 23 April 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Sheffield United are reportedly interested in signing Leeds United's Luke Ayling during the summer transfer window. 23 April 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Aston Villa have confirmed that head coach Unai Emery has signed a new contract with the club until the summer of 2027. 23 April 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Barcelona have allegedly identified Chelsea midfielder Carney Chukwuemeka as a potential summer transfer target. 23 April 2024 sportsmole.co.uk West Ham United and Burnley are reportedly interested in signing Kilmarnock youngster Bobby Wales during the summer window. 23 April 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp will endeavour to achieve a managerial first when the Reds head to Goodison Park to face Merseyside rivals Everton on Wednesday night. 23 April 2024 sportsmole.co.uk As many as five Manchester City players could leave the Etihad Stadium during the summer transfer window, according to a report. 23 April 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Swansea City youngster Sam Parker is reportedly wanted by three Premier League clubs ahead of the summer transfer window. 23 April 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Liverpool have been dealt a damaging fitness blow on the eve of Wednesday's Merseyside derby with Everton in the Premier League, as Jurgen Klopp revealed that one of his key attackers has sustained a fresh injury. 23 April 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Liverpool have reportedly held an interview with a Premier League manager as they bid to find a replacement for Jurgen Klopp. 23 April 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Aiming to keep their faint hopes of retaining the Dutch crown alive, Feyenoord will make the tricky-looking trip to face Go Ahead Eagles at De Adelaarshorst on Thursday night in the Eredivisie. 23 April 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Rangers have reportedly been handed a major boost in their pursuit of West Ham United defender Ben Johnson ahead of the summer transfer window. 23 April 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Manchester United head coach Erik ten Hag has revealed that Scott McTominay and Marcus Rashford are unlikely to be available for Wednesday's Premier League clash with Sheffield United.