Shamrock Rovers V SK Brann
Thursday, 18th July 2019 – 20:00 Kick-Off
UEFA Europa League First Round Qualifier
Pick: Under 2.5 Goals
Odds: 17/20
Bookmaker: Bet365
 |
1 | X | 2 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 33/20 | 11/5 | 31/20 |
* (All betting odds displayed were correct as of July 15th 2019 at 20:10)
First Leg: Brann 2-2 Shamrock Rovers (Goals: Taijo Teniste, Veton Berisha; Amer Ordagic o.g, Roberto Lopes)
Preview: It is advantage Shamrock Rovers following their brave performance in Norway, twice clawing back a deficit to earn a hard-fought 2-2 draw. It leaves Brann requiring at least one goal in Ireland if they are to avoid exiting the competition on away goals. The Tallaght Stadium in Ireland is the venue for this second leg encounter.
UEFA Europa League betting at 22Bet
Shamrock Rovers Preview – Rovers prominent to qualify after bold effort in Norway?
Just one team from Ireland has ever featured in the group stage of the Europa League, which was Shamrock Rovers in 2011. Could we witness a repeat in 2019? Their superb display in Norway last week, in which they twice came from behind to claim a 2-2 draw, will no doubt have some supporters dreaming of another unlikely run in Europe.
Roberto Lopes’ late leveller, in the 94 minute, has provided The Hoops with genuine belief that they can prevail in this tie. In fact, they are the favourites to progress courtesy of those two away goals, with their odds to qualify in to 8/13 with SkyBet. If their League of Ireland form is anything to go by, that may not be a bad bet; especially as Shamrock typically produce their better football inside the Tallaght Stadium.
A third place finish in the previous campaign was earned largely because of performances at home, where they won more games and scored almost three times as many goals compared with their efforts away (W11 D4 L3, GF42 GA12 at home last term).
Past results in European qualifiers would suggest progress is far from a foregone conclusion, though. Since the heroics of 2011, when reaching the group stages, Shamrock have contested seven UEFA ties and triumphed only twice. Their record at home in that time reads W2 D1 L4, with those two successful outcomes coming against Progres Niederkorn of Luxembourg (3-0) and Stjarnan of Iceland (1-0).
SK Brann Preview – Norwegian’s poor form to continue in Ireland?
Firm favourites when the draw was initially made, Brann now find themselves as slight underdogs as they make their way over to Ireland trailing on away goals. That is despite taking the lead on two separate occasions, through defender Taijo Teniste and a Veton Berisha penalty. Their failure to retain either of those leads is unlikely to have done their already withering confidence much good.
That disappointing outcome only continued what has been a stuttering campaign thus far. Coach Lars Arne Nilsen has overseen a team whose inconsistent displays has them languishing down in 6th in the Norwegian Eliteserien, after finishing third the preceding season. A big factor behind their struggles is down to a distinct lack of goals: only four teams have netted on fewer occasions in the league than Brann, who had managed just three goals in their previous five games before netting twice in the first leg.
Their issues in front of goal will need to be rectified rather sharpish, because Brann now need at least one goal over in Ireland. The fact they scored twice before half-time in the first leg should at least provide them with a slither of encouragement they can do something similar again, up against a side not quite up to the standards they are usually accustomed to back home. They are 11/5 with Boylesports to be leading at half-time.
Previous experience of similar scenarios are thin on the ground though, with this being the club’s second taste of knockout football in UEFA competition in the past 11 years. The most recent, in a 2017 Europa League qualifier, did see them record a 1-0 victory away to Slovenia’s MFK Ruzomberok – although a 2-0 loss at home meant their away success counted for little in the end.
Shamrock Rovers V Brann Key Facts:
- Shamrock Rovers have won two of last seven home matches in Europe (W2 D1 L4).
- Brann have won only one of their past six matches in league and European action (W1 D4 L1).
- Despite taking the lead twice, Brann could only draw the home leg 2-2 after Shamrock netted a 94th minute equaliser.
Betting Summary
Brann will have been disappointed how the first leg panned out and now know they need to score in Ireland. The Irish side do boast more experience of occasions such as this, but most of those produced outcomes Shamrock would probably rather forget in all fairness. Whereas their Norwegian counterparts are featuring in only their second European tie for 11 years.
I’m tempted to go against the grain of the first leg and back few goals. Shamrock were prolific at home in the League of Ireland last season but have scored more modestly in the current campaign (their current rate of 1.5 goals per home game is significantly down on the 2.33 figure from last season). Their opponents have also found goals harder to come by this season, particularly of late, and will be a hefty upgrade on what the Irish outfit are used to facing.
