St Josephs FC vs Shamrock Rovers Predictions

• Shamrock have won four of their last six
• St Joseph’s have never reached the third qualifying round in a UEFA competition.
• St Joseph’s have won just one of their last eight European home games

Shamrock to strike a firm first blow

Shamrock Rovers make the trip to Gibraltar to face St Joseph’s in the first leg of their Conference League second-qualifying round tie, and the Irish champions will be aiming to stamp their authority on the tie early after brushing aside Wexford 4-0 in the FAI Cup at the weekend.

The Hoops showed their attacking firepower in that contest and arrive with plenty of European experience, having featured regularly in the qualifying rounds of both the Champions League and Conference League in recent seasons. They’ll be confident of making a fast start against a St Joseph’s side who required extra time to get past Cliftonville in the first qualifying round.

The Gibraltarian outfit edged that tie 5-4 on aggregate, but their defensive frailties were exposed across both legs, and they may struggle to contain a Rovers attack that has hit form at just the right time.

Shamrock Rovers have been solid travellers in Europe in recent years, and they have the quality to exploit a St Joseph’s side who are still finding their feet at this level.

The hosts have won just one of their last eight home games in European competition and could be up against it once more, with Shamrock’s attacking force likely to be too much for the Gibraltar defence

Rovers are fancied to take control of the tie with a 3-1 victory, giving them a strong platform to finish the job back in Dublin.