Shamrock Rovers vs Molde Match Analysis and Prediction

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Shamrock Rovers play host to Molde on Thursday knowing that only a win will realistically do if they are to progress further in the Europa Conference League.

The visitors are currently holding a three-point advantage over their upcoming opponents in Group F, and there is a possibility they could establish a six-point lead over third place with victory in Ireland.

Having been drawn alongside Djurgaden IF, Molde and Gent, Shamrock Rovers head coach Stephen Bradley would have felt like his side had a realistic chance of progressing into the last 32.

As it stands, Bradley’s side remain the only side to take points off the group leaders Djurgadens, but they have been outclassed in their other two matches.

Trips to Belgium and Norway to take on Gent and Molde have ended in 3-0 defeats, Rovers now one of just two teams yet to score in the group stages.

Shamrock’s fortunes will need to dramatically change if they are to remain in contention for the top two, something which will not be lost on Bradley as he is forced to deploy attack-minded tactics for this match.

On the other hand, Molde are craving a prolonged European run at a time when they already hold a 15-point lead in Norway’s top flight.

A thrilling 3-2 defeat to Djurgaden on matchday two was certainly not in the cards, but they at least responded with a win against Shamrock Rovers last week.

Ola Brynhildsen scored the opening two strikes of that game, and the newly-capped Norway international now has four goals from his last three matches.

With the group leaders and a trip to Gent still to come, Erling Moe will be aware that his side, who are currently occupying joint-second place in this group, need to take advantage of their trip to Dublin.

Shamrock Rovers vs Molde head to head

These two teams have previously met on just one occasion in the Europa Conference League on October 6, when Molde claimed a 3-0 home victory.

Shamrock Rovers latest home form

Shamrock Rovers have recently been on a good run of form at home, as they have been unbeaten in their 10 most recent matches. They managed to defeat Shelbourne 3-2 in their last home game in the league. In their last five matches, they have scored 10 goals and conceded three.

Shamrock Rovers 1-0 Ferencvaros 25/08/22

Shamrock Rovers 0-0 Djurgaden 08/09/22

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 latest away form

Shamrock Rovers 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 3-0 to Molde in their last away game in the Europa Conference League. In their last five matches, they have scored four goals and conceded 10.

Gent 3-0 Shamrock Rovers 15/09/22

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

Molde latest home form

Molde have recently been on a good run of form at home, as they have been unbeaten in their five most recent matches. They managed to defeat HamKam 5-0 in their last home game in the league. In their last five matches, they have scored 15 goals and conceded just one.

Molde 4-1 Sarpsborg 08 28/08/22

Molde 0-0 Gent 08/09/22

Molde 3-0 Aelesund 18/09/22

Molde 3-0 Shamrock Rovers 06/10/22

Molde 5-0 HamKam 09/10/22

Molde latest away form

Molde have recently been on a relatively good run of form on the road, having lost just one of their six most recent matches. They managed to defeat Tromso 1-0 in their last away game in the league. In their last five matches, they havve scored 15 goals and conceded six.

Wolfsberger AC 0-4 Molde 25/08/22

Bodo/Glimt 1-4 Molde 03/09/22

Jerv 2-4 Molde 11/09/22

Djurgarden 3-2 Molde 15/09/22

Tromso 0-1 Molde 01/10/22

Shamrock Rovers news

Having made six changes to his Shamrock Rovers starting lineup at the weekend, Bradley has options available if he opts to make alterations on Thursday.

Sean Kavanagh and Sean Hoare could return at wing-back and in defence respectively, while Rory Gaffney could start down at the centre of the attack.

Molde news

Molde head into the contest without any injury or suspension concerns to deal with, and Moe may feel that he has little reason to make changes to his in-form Molde side.

David Datro Fofana is available after serving a suspension and could get the nod ahead of Magnus Grodem in the final third.

Prediction and Odds

Despite currently sitting at the top of the domestic standings, there is no getting away from the fact that Shamrock Rovers are considerable meanows ahead of this contest.

Although we expect a stronger showing than last week from the hosts, Molde should still be capable taking all the three points.

Odds: 1 2.31 X 2.10 2 2.16