Hibernians vs Shamrock Rovers Predictions

• Both teams have scored in seven of Hibernians’ last ten competitive matches.
• Shamrock Rovers have conceded in six of their last eight away games.
• Hibernians hit the woodwork twice in their 3-0 first-leg defeat in Dublin.

Maltese playmaker can give Rovers some concern

Shamrock Rovers were fortunate to keep a clean sheet in the first leg of their 3-0 Champions League qualifying win over Hibernians last week and are worth opposing to do so again.

The Maltese champions hit the Tallaght woodwork twice in the second half and could have made things much more interesting going into the return clash had they converted one of those two chances – the best of which was a one-0n-0ne.

Playmaker Jurgen Degabriele caused havoc when Hibernians could get him on the ball, but their defence – particularly the right-hand side of it – crumbled under Rovers’ pressure.

Oppose a clean sheet for Bradley’s side

Backing both teams to score in Ta’Qali could be productive, given it has landed in seven of Hibernians’ last ten competitive matches and Rovers are nowhere near as watertight on their travels as they are at home.

But Stephen Bradley’s men, who should have been reduced to ten after Rory Gaffney’s kick-out at an opponent last week, have failed to score in two of their last four away games and are under no obligation to strike in order to progress.

Rovers have managed just two clean sheets in their last eight away games and may not be able to come away from Malta totally unscathed here. A 2-0 home victory that would still see the Irish Premier Division champions through – just – is the forecast based on how closely matched these two clubs are on paper.