Shamrock Rovers vs AIK Predictions, Betting Tips and Match Previews

It’s fair to say that Shamrock Rovers haven’t warmed up for their European return in the best way. They host AIK on Thursday night in the first qualifying round of the Europa League, days after a 7-0 thrashing at the hands of Celtic. The Scottish champions ran riot in their visit to Dublin, and that’s left Rovers needing to pick up the pieces ahead of a crucial game. They’re now three games without a win ahead of this week’s clash with AIK, the side who are set to lift the Swedish title.

After a wonderful summer for Swedish football, AIK can capitalise on the national team’s success in Russia. Sweden caught the imagination in their run to the quarter-finals, and now their domestic league leaders are stepping out in European action in Dublin. The visitors kept their place at the top of the Allsvenskan with a 4-1 hammering of Trelleborg at the weekend, and now they head south to search for glory in the Europa League. Having made at least the third qualifying round in every season they’ve entered the Europa League this decade, they have a reputation to protect.

The Swedish side were in group F alongside Italian giants Napoli in 2013, while they went out to Portuguese side Braga in the qualifiers last season. Taking on Shamrock Rovers in the first qualifying round is likely to be a breeze for the Swedish league leaders, who are currently eight games unbeaten on the road in all competitions.

AIK have kept clean sheets in four of their last six trips in Europe, and we expect them to follow that up against Shamrock Rovers. The Irish side aren’t even on course to return to this competition next season, as they sit fourth in the league. With a 7-0 defeat and a 5-2 loss to Dundalk among their results in their last five home games, they may not be ready to step up and take on European opposition.

The visitors are unbeaten in Sweden so far, and their recent strong form in Europe should make them clear winners in this tie. The hosts have lost six of their last eight home Europa League games, and this is likely to be another defeat. They’ve lost as many games as they’ve won in the league this term, and after some poor form in continental competition, AIK are the best pick to win this game. The visitors are well priced after their good form, so we’re going with AIK to win, and 1-0 correct score for the Swedish title chasers.