Shamrock Rovers will take on Icelandic side, Víkingur Reykjavík in the second leg of the first round of Champions League Qualifying on Tuesday night with the tie firmly in the balance.
The two sides played out a 0-0 draw in Iceland last week, a result that appeared better for Shamrock Rovers given their away record in Europe and the fact they had to play the final ten minutes with ten men following a red card for Darragh Nugent.
Rovers aren't having the best of seasons but a positive result here would mean they have bettered their performance in last season's UCL qualifiers when they were dumped out in the opening round.
As part of our latest round of Champions League tips, check out our Shamrock Rovers v Víkingur Reykjavík prediction.
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Shamrock Rovers v Víkingur Reykjavík prediction: Rovers to come up short
Key stats
- Shamrock Rovers have won just two of their last six matches in all competitions.
- Víkingur Reykjavík are top of the Icelandic Premier League and have lost just once all season.
- Only one of Shamrock Rovers' last eight matches have seen more than two goals scored.
Correct score prediction: Shamrock Rovers 0-1 Víkingur Reykjavík
When the two teams met in the first leg last week, there was only one team who looked likely to score and that was Víkingur Reykjavík. They had 73% possession and 12 shots on goals, compared to Rovers' three efforts. A similar pattern should ensue on Tuesday night but this time, the away team should have enough quality to nick a goal.
Shamrock Rovers v Víkingur Reykjavík: UCL history
Both teams have appeared in the main draw of the Champions League, albeit back when it was a straight knockout tournament known as the European Cup. Shamrock Rovers became the first Irish team to appear in the competition in 1957 while Víkingur Reykjavík's first appearance came in 1982. Neither team have ever made it to the group stages of the modern Champions League.
Shamrock Rovers preview: Looking to rescue a poor season
Shamrock Rovers have won the Irish Premier Division for the last four years but their hopes of making it in five-in-a-row are all but over. They sit 4th in the league table as things stand and trail leaders, Shelbourne, by 13 points. A victory in Champions League qualifying would go some way to making up for their poor league form.
Predicted lineup: Pohls (GK), Cleary, Lopes, Honohan, Burns, Watts, O'Neill, Clarke, Hoare, Greene, Byrne
Víkingur Reykjavík: Looking to down the Irish
Víkingur Reykjavík have played in European competition qualifying for the past three years, winning just one tie – a second-round Europa Conference League qualifier against The New Saints of Wales. Their form this season has been impressive so they will fancy their chances of coming out on top against Shamrock Rovers.
Predicted lineup: Jonsson (GK), Gunnarsson, Vatnhamar, Ekroth, Fjoluson, Agnarsson, Punyed, Gudjonsson, Ingimundarson, Hansen, Djuric
Player to watch: Danijel Djuric
There is a feeling in Iceland that Vikingur's striker, Daniel Djuric, might not be playing football in their domestic league for much longer given the talent that is running through the 21-year-old's body.
Djuric is in red-hot form right now and will take some stopping on Tuesday night. He has scored four goals and provided three assists in his last five starts for the club.
