Shamrock Rovers vs Gent Match Analysis and Prediction

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Newly-crowned Irish champions Shamrock Rovers take on Gent on matchday five of the Europa Conference League on Thursday at Tallaght Stadium in Dublin.

The hosts’ chances of qualification to the knockout rounds of the competition ended with a defeat to Molde a fortnight ago, while Gent need to match or better Molde’s result this week to give them any hope of finishing in the top two in Group F.

Derry City’s 0-0 draw at Sligo Rovers on Monday meant that Shamrock Rovers became champions of the League of Ireland for a third successive year.

A 20th league title gives them a coveted place in next season’s Champions League qualifying stages, a berth that led them to the Europa Conference League group stage in this campaign.

Unsurprisingly, Rovers have found the step up to European competition difficult and are yet to score a goal after four matches in Group F, while only managing to collect one point.

A spot in the next stage of the Europa Conference League may not be at stake on Thursday, but the home crowd will be in the mood for a celebration.

Meanwhile, Gent have work to do on the final two matchdays of Group F if they are to progress to the knockout rounds of the Europa Conference League this season.

Djurgarden have thwarted Gent’s steady start to the European campaign, defeating them at the GHELAMCO-Arena and then again in the return fixture on matchday four by a 4-2 scoreline.

Hein Vanhaezebrouck will be hoping his side can improve on their travels in Dublin, as they will be looking to end a record of just one away victory in only two months across all competitions.

Hugo Cuypers could be the man who earns Gent a crucial win against Shamrock, having scored seven goals domestically and two in this competition.

Shamrock Rovers vs Gent head to head

These two teams have previously met on just one occasion in the Europa Conference League on September 15, where Gent claimed a 3-0 home victory.

Gent 3-0 Shamrock Rovers 15/09/22

Shamrock Rovers latest home form

Shamrock Rovers have recently been on a good run of form at home, having lost just one of their five most recent matches. They defeated St Patrick’s Athletic 4-1 in their last home game in the league. In their last five matches, they have scored 13 goals and conceded six.

Shamrock Rovers 5-1 Finn Harps 11/09/22

Shamrock Rovers 1-0 UCD 26/09/22

Shamrock Rovers 3-2 Shelbourne 09/10/22

Shamrock Rovers 0-2 Molde 13/10/22

Shamrock Rovers 4-1 St Patrick’s Athletic 21/10/22

Shamrock Rovers latest away form

Shamrock Rovers have recently failed to keep a good run of form on the road, having won just one of their seven most recent matches. They drew 1-1 with Drogheda United in their last away game in the league. In their last five matches, they have scored five goals and conceded eight.

Derry City (E)3-1 Shamrock Rovers 18/09/22

Shelbourne 0-0 Shamrock Rovers 22/09/22

Sligo Rovers 1-3 Shamrock Rovers 01/10/22

Molde 3-0 Shamrock Rovers 06/10/22

Drogheda United 1-1 Shamrock Rovers 16/10/22

Gent latest home form

Gent have recently been on a relatively good run of form at home, having lost just two of their six most recent matches. They managed to defeat RFC Seraing 2-1 in their last home game in the league. In their last five matches, they have scored 11 goals and conceded six.

Gent 3-0 Shamrock Rovers 15/09/22

Gent 3-4 Cercle Brugge 02/10/22

Gent 0-1 Djurgarden 06/10/22

Gent 3-0 Mechelen 16/10/22

Gent 2-1 RFC Seraing 23/10/22

Gent latest away form

Gent have recently failed to keep a good run of form on the road, having won just one of their six most recent matches. They lost 2-0 to Union Saint-Gilloise in their last away game in the league. In their last five matches, they have scored six goals and conceded seven.

Molde 0-0 Gent 08/09/22

Genk 1-0 Gent 18/09/22

AS Eupen 0-4 Gent 09/10/22

Djurgarden 4-2 Gent 13/10/22

Union Saint-Gilloise 2-0 Gent 19/10/22

Shamrock Rovers news

Bradley is expected to name a strong XI in Shamrock’s last home game of their Europa Conference League campaign.

That will see Rory Gaffney, Jack Byrne and Graham Burke all retain their spots up front, but Gary O’Neil is a doubt after picking up a knock just over a week ago away at Drogheda United.

Gent news

Gent have a growing list of injury concerns ahead of the journey to Ireland on Thursday, which will leave Hein Vanhaezebrouck with limited selection options for this contest.

Elisha Owusu and Julien De Sart are both set to miss out with issues sustained against Union Saint-Gilloise last week in the Belgian League.

Prediction and Odds

Shamrock Rovers have already been eliminated from the competition with two matches to go, but an impressive domestic home record suggests Gent will have a tough task.

However, the reverse fixture in Belgium showcased the gulf in quality between the two sides, something that should once again shine through on Thursday.

Odds: 1 2.91 X 2.10 2 1.88