AIK vs Shamrock Rovers Predictions, Betting Tips and Match Previews

A 1-0 victory in Dublin last week has put AIK in control of this Europa League qualifier. The pair meet in Solna on Thursday for the second leg, and the Swedish league leaders are looking good to progress to the second round. There’s a long way to go to the group stage, but it looks like Shamrock Rovers won’t even come close, after last week’s loss left them on the verge of elimination.

The Irish side haven’t got the greatest European record of late, they’ve played just 11 European matches since they made the group stage of this competition back in 2011. That impressive run suggested that they could go even further and progress, but instead Rovers have just been left behind by the likes of Cork and Dundalk, the last Irish side to make the group stage of this competition.

Meanwhile, things are looking up for AIK after their win last week. Not only are they aiming to progress in Europe, but they are out to win the league for the first time in nine years. They’re set to dethrone Malmo after an impressive start to the campaign, and they could combine that with a run in Europe. With a victory under their belt and an unbeaten league record behind them ahead of this clash in Solna, it’s tough to see how Rovers can turn things around. Given their record to date – one away win in eight trips in this competition – we aren’t confident in the visitors.

AIK are in good form at home, which has seen them backed in as heavy favourites to win this game. They’ve racked up six wins in nine home Europa League ties, and they look set to add another to that on Thursday. Interestingly, AIK have kept a clean sheet in every home win they’ve recorded in this competition since the turn of the century, so we don’t have much faith in Rovers’ attack doing the business, especially after their 1-0 defeat at home.

AIK have won to nil in 67% of their home league games, letting in just 0.71 goals per game in the league this term. After putting themselves in charge in Dublin, the hosts should finish the job on Thursday night. That has us backing another win to nil for the Allsvenskan leaders, while we’re also tipping them to win this game 2-0, and dump Rovers out of Europe at the very first hurdle.