Shamrock Rovers will look to begin the Europa Conference League group stage with a win when they welcome Djurgardens IF to the Tallaght Stadium.

The visitors, meanwhile, enter Thursday's contest in fine form after winning their previous three matches in all competitions.

Match preview

After featuring in Champions League and Europa League qualifying this season, Shamrock will complete the set of UEFA competitions when they face Djurgarden on Thursday.

The hosts were knocked out of the Champions League in the second round of qualifying, but they reached the Europa League playoff round as a result of a 5-2 aggregate victory over Shkupi.

However, they had to settle for a place in the Europa Conference League group stage after losing 4-1 on aggregate to Hungarian champions Ferencvaros.

In domestic action, the Irish champions are currently on course to defend their League Of Ireland Premier Division title, but they will be looking for a response on Thursday following a 1-0 defeat to Bohemians last time out.

The setback against Bohemians took place on their travels, while on Thursday they will return to Tallaght Stadium where they are unbeaten since a 1-0 Europa Conference League defeat to Flora in August 2021.

Meanwhile, Shamrock's Swedish opponents are also battling for the league title, with Djurgarden one point adrift of Hacken who currently top the Allsvenskan table.

However, Djurgarden will put their title challenge on hold as they turn their attention to the Europa Conference League where they have negotiated their way through three rounds of qualifying.

Rijeka were comfortably dispatched courtesy of a 4-1 aggregate victory before a couple of 3-1 wins in the two legs against Sepsi helped them set up a playoff round tie against APOEL.

Djurgarden cruised to a 3-0 home victory, and although APOEL clinched a 3-2 win in the second leg, the Swedish side had done enough to reach the group stage where they will face Gent, Molde and Shamrock.

Having scored at least two goals in all six of their Europa Conference League qualifying games, Thursday's visitors may believe that they have the firepower to end Shamrock's unbeaten home run.

Team News

Roberto Lopes has been out since July with a knee injury, which will prevent the defender from featuring for Shamrock in Thursday's contest.

Jack Byrne has started the last two matches for the hosts, and the midfielder is expected to retain his place in the side, with Stephen Bradley set to name an unchanged lineup.

Meanwhile, Rory Gaffney scored a goal in both Champions League and Europa League qualifying this term, and the striker will look to add to his European tally when he partners Aaron Greene in the forward line.

As for the visitors, Rasmus Schuller is available after being suspended for the second leg of the playoff tie against APOEL.

Joel Asoro was on the bench for the league win over Sirius, but after scoring five goals in Europa Conference League qualifying this season, he is expected to return to the starting lineup for Thursday's encounter.

The 23-year-old will be joined in the front three by Haris Radetinac and Victor Edvardsen, with the latter finding the net on three occasions in qualifying.

Shamrock Rovers possible starting lineup:
Mannus; Hoare, Cleary, Grace; Finn, Watts, Byrne, O'Neill, Lyons; Greene, Gaffney

Djurgardens IF possible starting lineup:
Widell Zetterstrom; Johansson, Ekdal, Danielson, Andersson; Eriksson, Schuller, Finndell; Radetinac, Asoro, Edvardsen

We say: Shamrock Rovers 2-1 Djurgardens IF

Although Djurgardens have won their previous three matches in all competitions, we think that they will fall short against a Shamrock side who are looking to claim their fifth consecutive home victory.

For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.

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