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Shamrock Rovers will host The New Saints at the Tallaght Stadium in the league phase of the Europa Conference League on Thursday. The home side will be looking to continue their fine start in the competition and put themselves in contention for direct qualification to the knockout rounds.
The Rovers are yet to lose in the Europa Conference League this season, having earned a point with a 92nd-minute equalizer against APOEL in the first round before an emphatic 4-1 victory over Larne FC in the second round. The Irish side have secured a spot in next season's Conference League qualifiers via a second-place finish in the recently-concluded Premier Division and will be looking to continue their five-match winning streak when they host The New Saints.
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The visitors are on a seven-game winning streak of their own which includes their 2-0 win over Astana in the previous round of the Conference League. The New Saints began their European campaign with an unsurprising 2-0 defeat to Fiorentina in the first round but will look to move up from 19th place in the Conference League by getting at least a point on Thursday.
Shamrock Rovers vs The New Saints Head-to-Head and Key Numbers
- Thursday's game will mark the first-ever competitive meeting between these two teams.
- Shamrock Rovers have played against Welsh opposition twice in European competitions, losing one and drawing the other.
- The New Saints have played against Irish opposition twice in European competitions, winning one and losing the other.
- The home side had the joint-best home record domestically, having lost just three home games in the entire league season.
- The away team have the best offensive record in the Cymru Premier League with a goal tally of 39 after just 13 matches.
Shamrock Rovers vs The New Saints Prediction
The Rovers will head into Thursday's game high on confidence, having lost only two of their last 12 games in all competitions. They have won four of their last six home games and will be relying on home advantage this week which could very well be the determining factor.
The New Saints will hope to replicate their solid showings from previous away games this season and will be banking on their good goal-scoring form to give them an edge on their trip to Ireland this week.
The gulf in class and quality between the two teams could, however, see the home side edge this one.
Prediction: Shamrock Rovers 2-1 The New Saints
Shamrock Rovers vs The New Saints Betting Tips
Tip 1 - Result: Shamrock Rovers to win
Tip 2 - Goals - Over/under 2.5 - Over 2.5 goals (Seven of the visitors' last eight games have produced more than 2.5 goals)
Tip 3 - Both teams to score: YES (Both teams have found the net in three of the visitors' last four matches)
