Shamrock Rovers vs Santa Clara Predictions

• Rovers have kept a clean sheet in 4 of their last 5 home matches.
• Rovers landed 2-1 win, upsetting the odds at 6/1
• Santa Clara have scored in four of their last five away games

Tight Affair Expected in Dublin Decider

Shamrock Rovers provided an upset against Portuguese side Santa Clara with a 2-1 away win in this Conference League qualifier. The Irish side were 6/1 outsiders to win the game, and it looked unlikely when Santa Clara went 1-0 up in the 20th minute. However, a late first-half equaliser and a 66th-minute winner turned the tie on its head, with Rovers making the most of the limited opportunities that came their way.

It’s likely Rovers will set up very defensively in the second leg, looking to keep the game as tight as possible, with a draw being enough to see them through. They boast a strong defensive record at home, keeping a clean sheet in four of their last five matches. That has come against weaker opposition, though, where they’ve often gone on to win by several goals, something unlikely here. Instead, they’ll look to sit deep, frustrate Santa Clara, and strike on the counter, without committing too many men forward.

A low-scoring game suits Rovers, and even if they do concede, they’ll still be level on aggregate. Backing under 2.5 goals looks the value play here, with Santa Clara fancied to edge it 1-0 on the night.