The first leg of the Europa League playoffs will begin this Thursday night in Hungary as Ferencvárosi welcome Shamrock Rovers to the Groupama Arena as both teams enter this encounter top of their domestic divisions.
Despite sitting top of the table, however, Shamrock have played out 25 games compared to the two of Ferencvaros.
We've had some special nights in Tallaght this season 💚The noise, the colour and the passion has been incredible and we'll need the same again on Sunday in a 𝐦𝐚𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐯𝐞 top of the table clash 🥁#TheTopTwo in Tallaght. Don't miss it. Be There.🎟️ https://t.co/W1rJyFSzo9 pic.twitter.com/VAARr3pqz2— Shamrock Rovers FC ☘️ (@ShamrockRovers) August 16, 2022
We've had some special nights in Tallaght this season 💚The noise, the colour and the passion has been incredible and we'll need the same again on Sunday in a 𝐦𝐚𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐯𝐞 top of the table clash 🥁#TheTopTwo in Tallaght. Don't miss it. Be There.🎟️ https://t.co/W1rJyFSzo9 pic.twitter.com/VAARr3pqz2
From the 25 games, the League of Ireland Premier Division leaders sit four points clear of Dundalk with a game in hand. This comes after winning 16 games so far, drawing five and losing four.
What's more, with 38 goals scored, they are the second-highest scorers in the league too, with only Derry City down in third netting more. At the same time, with 15 goals conceded, Shamrock remain the highest scorers in the league as well.
Stephen Bradley's men are also coming into this one off the back of easing into this game from the third qualifying round against Shkupi.
Bradley's side initially defeated them 3-1 on home soil, before heading away from home and winning 2-1 in a 5-2 aggregate win where Shamrock had a total of nine shots on target across the two games. Back in the league, however, Shamrock played out a goalless draw against Derry City.
Moreover, with a victory over Bangor GG in the FAI Cup and a second leg victory over Ludogorets in the league, the club remain unbeaten in their past six games in all competitions, although Ludogorets did manage to beat Shamrock 3-0 in the first leg of that Champions League second round qualifier.
Ferencvaros, on the other hand, are just two games into their NB I season, and they remain the only team in the division after two games to win both games and not concede a single goal, as they had into this game in perfect form.
The club last met with Fehervar in a 4-0 win as Carlos Auzqui, Xavier Mercier, Adama Traore, and Franck Boli scored in an easy win for the club.
In the first game of the domestic season, however, Ferencvaros needed until the 94th minute to get all three points in the bag as Kristoffer Zachariassen netted with just seconds left on the clock.
In Europe, the Hungarian outfit lost 4-2 on aggregate to Qarabag FK, as they lost the second leg 3-1 after drawing the first encounter 1-1.
However, Forebet predicts they’ll win here and for the game to see over 2.5 goals.