Can Shamrock Rovers turn things around after all?
The first round of the Champions League qualifiers goes into the second legs. Among others, Breidablik Kopavogur will host Shamrock Rovers. After the 1-0 win in the first leg, the Icelandic representative seems to have good cards for advancing.
For this reason, the bookmakers’ odds between Breidablik and Shamrock Rovers favour a win for the home side. However, the lead is only minimal, so the visitors from Ireland will certainly still fancy their chances.
The home side have a very decisive advantage because, unlike in Ireland, the season is in full swing in Iceland. With five wins from their last six competitive matches, Oskar Hrafn Thorvaldsson’s side also seem to be in absolute form. The host nation was particularly impressive in the preliminary round of the qualifying competition for the UEFA Champions League. With a 7:1 win against SP Tre Penne and a 5:0 success against FK Buducnost Podgorica, the Icelanders were hardly to be stopped. Their only defeat came in the Icelandic Cup against KA Akureyri – but only on penalties.
For the guests, the season was already over on 07 July, which can be seen as a small disadvantage. Stephen Bradley’s team then played only one match, the first leg against Breidablik. Due to the defeat against the Icelanders, the visiting team has now been waiting for a win for three games and is thus anything but in top form. For this reason, the odds of the bookmakers also tend to speak against a success of the Irish between Breidablik and Shamrock Rovers.
We recommend betting on a draw between Breidablik and Shamrock Rovers after 90 minutes. The visitors from Ireland are perhaps a bit better in terms of play, but the home advantage of the Icelanders should make up for this disadvantage. Therefore, we expect the second leg to be a match of equals and we can well imagine that we will see a draw.
Breidablik – Statistics & current form
Breidablik were Icelandic champions in 2022 and thus qualified for the preliminary round of the Champions League. With Iceland very far down the UEFA rankings, coach Thorvaldsson’s team, unlike Shamrock Rovers, have already had to play two games in the battle for the top flight.
After the fully deserved victory in the first leg, the second qualifying round now seems absolutely within reach. Nevertheless, it is important to remain realistic, as participation in the most important European club competition will hardly be feasible for the team from Kopavogur.
The mission to defend the title is wavering
The home side are currently in third place in Iceland’s top division and are somewhat behind their own expectations. Oskar Thorvaldsson’s side have picked up just 30 points from their first 15 games, eight less than current leaders Vikingur Reykjavik. However, with seven games to go and the championship round to follow, defending the title still seems within reach.
Always good for a goal
The hosts have scored a competition-high 58 goals in 23 games this season, providing one of the best offensives in Icelandic football. Thorvaldsson’s team has only failed to score once and will therefore create one or two big chances in the second leg.
Surprisingly, one of the defenders stands out in the offensive play. Right-back Höskuldur Gunnlaugsson has already scored ten goals this season and has also set up ten goals.
The team from Kopavogur conceded 28 goals in 23 games in all competitions and is therefore very solid. Oskar Thorvaldsson’s team has kept a clean sheet eleven times – that is 48% of all games. Goalkeeper Anton Ari Einarsson is a reliable backstop and complements the good Icelandic back four perfectly. In the match against Shamrock Rovers, the visitors are expected to have few chances to score.
Predicted line-up of Breidablik:
Einarsson – Gunnlaugsson, Muminovic, Margeirsson, Yoeman – Eyjolfsson, Sigurjonsson, Einarsson – Steindorsson, Olsen, Svandorsson
Shamrock Rovers – Statistics & recent form
Shamrock Rovers are the reigning champions of the Irish First Division and therefore eligible to participate in the qualifying round of the top flight. As Ireland are well ahead of Iceland in the UEFA rankings, the visitors did not have to take part in the pre-qualifiers in advance.
The first leg against Breidablik Kopavogur was thus the first match in the fight for the Champions League. After the defeat, the Irish now have their backs against the wall and face a very difficult task. In their own stadium, the club would have wished for a completely different result and now only a win counts in the second leg.
The Premier Division Championship
Stephen Bradley’s team took 47 points from 25 games to secure the championship. In the end, Rovers had a four-point lead over Derry City and St. Patricks Athletic and secured the title by the narrowest of margins. The Dublin team thus celebrated its fourth championship in a row and now stands at 20 championship titles. This makes Shamrock Rovers the most successful club in Ireland.
The visitors scored 47 goals in 22 games in Ireland’s top flight, making them the best attacking side in the Premier Division. Stephen Bradley’s side only failed to score four times, but only scored once in the Conference League.
Arguably the most dangerous player in the Shamrock Rovers ranks is Rory Gaffney. The 33-year-old centre-forward has scored twelve goals in the competition and also has seven assists to his name.
The back line is very solid
The visiting team from Ireland conceded 22 goals in 25 league games last season. Stephen Bradley’s team kept a clean sheet 13 times and were hardly to be defeated. Derry City and Shelbourne FC were the only two teams to keep the ball out of their own net less often. On the international stage, however, it was a different story as the Irish conceded 20 goals in 14 games.
Predicted Shamrock Rovers line-up:
Pohls – Cleary, Lopes, Hoare – Finn, Watts, O’Neill, Poom, Kavanagh – Gaffney, Byrne
Breidablik – Shamrock Rovers Direct comparison / H2H record
The direct comparison between the two teams is quickly summarised. The two teams have only met once and that was in the first leg. Breidablik came away with a 1-0 victory and deserved it. Despite playing away from home, the Icelanders had more possession, more corner kicks and also more big chances.
In the second leg, the Icelandic representatives will also have their own fans behind them, so the chances of progressing are definitely there. For this reason, our prediction between Breidablik and Shamrock Rovers goes more in the direction of the home side.
Breidablik – Shamrock Rovers Tip
We’re playing the “both teams score – yes” tip between Breidablik and Shamrock Rovers. After the 1:0 in the first leg, the visitors are especially challenged, because only a win counts. Therefore, we expect the Irish to be a bit more courageous than in the first leg and assume a lot more offensive drive.
The quality to crack the Icelandic defence is definitely there and therefore a goal by the visiting team seems quite realistic. On the other hand, the home side have their own fans behind them, can focus on counter-attacks and are also well-stocked in attack.
Alternatively, we recommend double chance odds for the visiting team between Breidablik and Shamrock Rovers. The visitors have had much more experience on the international stage than the home side in the past.
Thus, we expect a brave performance from the visiting team and think a point win is quite realistic.
