Shamrock Rovers vs Hibernians Predictions

• Shamrock Rovers have kept clean sheets in their last three home league games, winning each time.
• Hibernians have lost their last four Champions League qualifying matches, failing to score in each.
• Hibernian’s captain, vice-captain and manager are suspended for the tie after ill-discipline last season.

Hoops have edge over hamstrung Hibernians

Shamrock Rovers should take control of their Champions League first qualifying round tie against Hibernians with a routine win to nil on Tuesday.

The seeded Hoops drew the weakest side on paper when they were paired with the Maltese champions, giving Stephen Bradley’s side a real chance of progression from a two-legged Champions League tie for the first time in 11 years.

And they catch a real break with the fact that the visitors to Tallaght will be without their suspended captain, vice-captain and manager because of incidents that occurred during their Conference League exit to Riga FC last August.

A Rovers win to nil could be on the cards 

Rovers are ten points clear in their domestic league and are set to play their 25th competitive match of the campaign this week while Hibernians are out of season and due to play their first serious game since May. That gives Bradley’s men a huge advantage in terms of conditioning and they should justify their short odds for victory on Tuesday.

But a win to nil also looks a distinct possibility given the hosts have kept clean sheets in their last three home league games, winning each time, and Hibernians have failed to register in each of their last four Champions League contests.

A 1-0 home win would be seen as a stepping stone to progression for Rovers and it seems to be their favourite scoreline at Tallaght this term, occurring five times in their last nine Premier Division games.