Celje vs Shamrock Rovers Prediction: A draw might be the way to go

Celje take on Shamrock Rovers in the first leg of their Europa League third-round qualifier on Thursday (19:15). The home side were beaten 6-1 by Slovan Bratislava in the second qualifying round of the Champions League, and they have failed to win in their last three games across all competitions. 

Shamrock Rovers have won three of their last five in the League of Ireland Premier Division, but they know this trip to Slovenia will be difficult. Read on for my Celje vs Shamrock Rovers prediction, including team news and match odds.

Celje vs Shamrock Rovers Odds

*Please click on the link above to be taken to the main Cejle vs Shamrock Rovers page on betfred.com (or app) for all the live betting prices on this match.

Celje are 8/15 to win this match, giving them an implied probability of 65.2%. Shamrock Rovers are valued at 9/2, which gives them an 18.2% chance of victory. The draw can be backed at 11/4 (26.7%).

Both teams to score is on offer at 5/6 and over 2.5 goals is marketed at 4/5.

Football Odds

Team News

The hosts will assess Tamar Svetlin's fitness ahead of the game after the player missed the last two matches with an unspecified issue, while defender Damjan Vuklisevic is out suspended following the red card he picked up in the second-leg defeat to Slovan Bratislava.

Vuklisevic's absence could see either Klemen Nemanic or new signing Slavko Bralic given a start in the heart of defence alongside David Zec.

Former Newcastle United wide man Rolando Aarons was handed his first start of the season last time out, but he could be moved from the right flank by Aljosa Matko, who has contributed two goals and one assist in six games so far this campaign.

For Shamrock Rovers, experienced striker Rory Gaffney has been sidelined since the end of April with an unspecified injury and he will once again be missing from the matchday squad.

They could be aided by the return of top scorer Johnny Kenny, who has scored 10 goals in his last 16 appearances. He is looking to shake a knock to feature in Thursday's crunch clash. Josh Honohan will be hoping to return to the starting XI at either right centre-back or right wing-back, while Markus Poom and Richie Towell could be recalled in the middle of the park.

Draw @ 11/4

Celje have failed to win in their last three matches and one of them was a heavy 5-0 defeat at the hands of Slovan Bratislava. They did draw 1-1 in the home leg of that tie, however, and they are facing lesser opposition in Shamrock Rovers.

The visitors themselves do not have the best away record of late, winning two of their last 10 in all competitions, but I think given that both teams have aspects of their games holding them back at the moment, I think the draw looks to be a sensible selection.

I believe much of this first leg will see the two teams sizing each other up, ahead of the decider in Dublin next week. Celje will look to gain the advantage here so that they have less work to do in the second leg, but due to their own recent struggles, I expect Rovers to come away with a respectable draw on the road.

Both teams to score @ 5/6

With that in mind, I think both teams to score is also worth backing on Thursday evening. This market has landed in Shamrock Rovers' last two matches and in three of Celje's last four.

Both sides have been given a second crack at qualifying for European football this term after being stung in the Champions League, so they will both have points to prove in this tie.

With the players on offer for both sides that have been mentioned above, there is no shortage of attacking quality, either. The onus will be on the home team to dictate the tempo, which raises their chances of finding the back of the net, but their own form will give Rovers an invitation.

Offers

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