Shamrock Rovers will look to start the Europa Conference League group stage with a win when they welcome Djurgarden IF to the Tallagt Stadium. The visitors, on the other hand, come into Thursday’s challenge in fine form, having won their previous three games in all competitions. Shamrock Rovers vs Djurgardens IF kick-off is scheduled for Thursday 8th September at 9pm

Shamrock Rovers vs Djurgardens IF Match Preview: Where the two teams stand

Shamrock Rovers

Shamrocks will complete the UEFA Champions League and Europa League qualifiers this season when they take on Djurgården on Thursday. The hosts were knocked out of the Champions League in the second qualifying round but reached the Europa League playoffs, beating Shakupi 5–2 on aggregate. However, they had to settle for a place in the group stage of the Europa Conference League after losing 4-1 to Hungarian champions Ferencvarosi. The domestic and Irish champions are currently trying to retain the League of Ireland’s Premier Division title but will be looking for a response on Thursday after losing 1-0 to Bohemians in their latest fixture. The defeat to Bohemians came on the road as they return to Tallaght Stadium on Thursday unbeaten since a 1-0 Europa League defeat against Flora in August 2021.

Djurgardens IF

Meanwhile, Shamrock’s Swedish rivals are also fighting for the championship title, with Olsvenskan leaders Djurgardens currently a point behind Hakan. However, Djurgardens will put aside their title challenge to devote themselves to the Europa Conference League, where they had to overcome three qualifying rounds. Rijeka were comfortably out thanks to a 4-1 aggregate win, before 3-1 wins over two legs against Sepsi set them up for the play-off round against APOEL. Djurgardens won 3-0 at home, and despite APOEL winning 3-2 in the second half, the Swedish team did enough to reach the group stage, where they will face Gent, Molde and Shamrock. Having scored at least two goals in all six Europa Conference League qualifiers, Thursday’s visitors may believe they have the firepower to end Shamrock’s unbeaten home run.

All conference league matches

Team news

Roberto Lopes has been out since July with a knee injury which will prevent the defender from taking the field for Shamrocks in Thursday’s game. Jack Byrne has started the last two matches for the hosts and the midfielder is expected to retain his place in the team, while Stephen Bradley is expected to feature in an unchanged line-up. Rory Gaffney, meanwhile, has scored a goal in both the Champions League and Europa League qualifiers, and the striker will look to add to his European tally as he joins Aaron Green in the forward line. For the visitors, Rasmus Schuller is available after being suspended for the second play-off against APOEL. Joel Azoro remained on the bench in the league win over Sirius, but after scoring five goals in this season’s Europa Conference League qualifiers, he is expected to return to the starting line-up for Thursday’s meeting. The 23-year-old will be joined by Haris Radettiank and Victor Edvardsson, the latter of whom has found the net three times in qualifying.

The odds are against Shamrock Rovers vs Djurgardens IF

Possible starting line-up for Shamrock Rovers:
Mannus; Hoare, Cleary, Grace; Finn, Watts, Byrne, O’Neill, Lyons; Green, Gaffney

Possible initial training Djurgardens:
Widel Zetterstrom; Johansson, Ekdal, Danielsson, Anderson; Erickson, Schuller, and Findel; Radettinak, Azoro, and Edvardsen

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