Shamrockvs.Vikingur

A steadfast defensive display saw Rovers come away from Reykjavik with a clean sheet, and they will now fancy their chances of advancing to a meeting with Sparta Prague in round two.

Match preview

Shamrock Rovers will undoubtedly be the happier of the sides with the goalless result last week and a win here will see them turn their circa £800,000 purse into nearly £1.5m by reaching the next stage of qualifying.

Along with a second-round trip to Czechia, the Hoops will also earn themselves three chances to enter the European competitions next season, with another winning tie in this competition guaranteeing at least group-stage football in the Conference League.

Stephen Bradley's side secured a clean sheet last week with an impressive defensive display, limiting Vikingur to half-chances from corners. Despite forcing 18 corners, the Icelandic champions had no shots on target.

In addition to enduring the barrage of set-pieces, Rovers had to play the last 10 minutes plus stoppage-time a man light after Darragh Nugent received a second yellow card and was sent off.

While benefiting from some luck, being twice saved by the woodwork, it marked Rovers' first clean sheet in Europe since their 0-0 draw with Djurgarden in the 2022-23 Europa Conference League group stage.

Vikingur's record should also boost Hoops' fans' confidence, since while they are still unbeaten at home this season, they have never won an away game in European cup competitions.

Additionally, despite enjoying an unbeaten run of 17 games in all competitions, including 13 wins, they have lost three of their last four away games in European qualification matches.

Ahead of last week's encounter, Bradley had spoken about the need to deal with the danger the Vikes would bring from crosses, and his side did so brilliantly, with last week's hosts failing to convert any of over 20 set-pieces.

Arnar Gunnlaugsson's side also got their share of luck as they could have been entering this match a goal down had Johnny Kenny not chipped his clear one-on-one effort over the bar three minutes before the end of regulation time last week.

Nevertheless, with the score still level, the Vikes should not be written off just yet, but it will be interesting to see how they approach this match with their opponents likely to play much more attacking football in this one.

Shamrock Rovers Champions League form:

D

Shamrock Rovers form (all competitions):

L

W

L

L

W

D

Vikingur Reykjavik Champions League form:

D

Vikingur Reykjavik form (all competitions):

L

W

D

Team News

Stephen Bradley will have to make do without the services of Nugent in this match after his red card last week, and that could allow Kenny to make the starting lineup this time around.

In terms of absentees, Rory Gaffney and Aaron McEneff are ruled out for this match due to injury, while Graham Burke is flagged as a doubt after missing the last three outings with a knock.

Helgi Gudjonsson was withdrawn shortly after the hour-mark in the first leg with what looked like a knock and could drop to the bench this week, potentially for Ari Sigurpalsson, who will provide a greater threat from set-pieces.

Gunnar Vatnhamar, Oliver Ekroth, Jon Gudni Fjoluson and Karl Fridleifur Gunnarsson formed a solid base for the Icelandic outfit last week and are likely to remain unchanged in this one.

Shamrock Rovers possible starting lineup:

Pohls; Lopes, Cleary, Hoare; Honohan, O'Neill, Watts, Clarke; Kenny, Byrne; Greene

Vikingur Reykjavik possible starting lineup:

Jonsson; Gunnarsson, Ekroth, Vatchamar, Fjoluson; Djuric, Punyed, Sigurpalsson; Agnarsson, Hansen, Ingimundarson

We say: Shamrock Rovers 1-0 Vikingur Reykjavik

While forced to defend for the majority of the 90 last week, Rovers carved out the best chances in the match and should probably have been a goal up had they finished their clear chance late on.

Nevertheless, back on their home patch, the Hoops are likely to play more attacking football this week, and we feel they will manage to find the target while shutting the opponents out at the other end.

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