Larne vs Shamrock Rovers Prediction: Visitors to edge this contest

There's an interesting encounter taking place on Thursday (17:45, TNT Sports 4) as Larne host Shamrock Rovers in the Europa Conference League, pitting Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland against one another.

The hosts lost 3-0 to Molde on matchday one, so will be looking for a response in their first home game. Shamrock Rovers picked up a draw against APOEL. Read on for my Larne vs Shamrock Rovers prediction, featuring match odds and team news.

Larne vs Shamrock Rovers Odds

Larne are 12/5, or a 29.4% chance, to win this match. Shamrock Rovers are valued at 5/4 to take the three points, giving them an implied probability of 44.4%. The draw is marketed at 11/5 (31.3%).

Both teams to score is available at 4/5 and over 2.5 goals can be backed at 1/1.

Football Odds

Team News

Larne will be forced into at least one change against Shamrock Rovers on Thursday. Conor McKendry will serve the suspension he picked up in the defeat at Molde last time out, so we could see Benji Magee return to the starting XI.

The attacker has been looking sharp in his cameo appearances from the bench in the last few matches in the NIFL Premiership, and he netted the equaliser against Crusaders at the weekend.

In terms of personnel, if Magee does get the nod to start, Paul O'Neill looks the most likely to drop out as a result. Elsewhere, Cian Bolger is an option to start in the heart of the back line, potentially at the expense of Shaun Want.

Fellow defender Aaron Donnelly missed out against Crusaders due to an ankle injury, so he is considered a doubt for this European clash.

Shamrock Rovers duo Rory Gaffney and Trevor Clarke will be pushing for starts at Windsor Park after recently overcoming their respective injury problems. However, boss Stephen Bradley could be tempted to go with an unchanged team after his side pulled off a 1-0 victory against Drogheda United last Friday.

Shamrock Rovers to win @ 5/4

This isn't the sort of European clash you see everyday but rest assured everyone connected to these two clubs will be brimming with excitement for this fixture. Over the years we have seen Shamrock Rovers qualify for group stages of European competitions but Larne are the first team from their league to do so.

The Northern Irish club will eagerly anticipating their first home game in the new-look league phase of the Europa Conference League, and fortune would have it that they are facing a side that are based just 128 miles down the road from them.

Larne were shown the huge step up in class to this stage of European football as they were comfortably beaten by Molde on matchday one. They will be sensing an opportunity against Shamrock Rovers at home soil, but I'm not convinced they will get the result they are after.

The visitors have had plenty of European experiences over the years, even if they haven't been fruitful. That alone puts them a few steps ahead of their hosts heading into Thursday's match, and the fact that they have already earned a point would suggest that they are currently better-equipped than Larne.

I think it will be another tight affair for Shamrock Rovers, especially being away from home, but I fancy them to edge their hosts in terms of quality and snatch the three points.

Both teams to score @ 4/5

As I think that this will end up being a close encounter, I think backing both teams to score could be a shrewd selection as well. You may think this is bold because this market has only landed in six of their 19 matches in all competitions this season, but I have belief because this match at Windsor Park is a historical one for the Antrim-based club.

Their first home game in the league phase of a European competition is going to be a momentous occasion, and the fact that they are going to be playing a club who are similar to them in terms of not being blessed with resources, this should be a very competitive fixture.

Shamrock Rovers have seen goals scored at both ends in five of their last 11 matches in all competitions, including their Europa Conference League opener on home soil agains APOEL. I've already predicted they will come away with the three points on Thursday, but I don't think they will leave with a clean sheet.

The hosts will be fired up for this as they look to get off the mark, and I think we will see both teams get on the scoresheet.

Offers

Place an In-Play single bet of £10 or more at odds of 1/2+ on any Champions League game on Tuesday or Wednesday and get £5 in Free Bets to use In-Play on Thursday’s Europa League/Europa Conference League games. (Credited upon Bet Settlement).

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