On Thursday night, Shamrock Rovers host AIK Fotboll in the first leg of the first qualifying round in the Europa League.
Ireland Premier Division side Shamrock Rovers are currently just outside the European berths in their domestic league. However, they face a challenge to progress in this season’s Europa League against their Swedish opponents.
The Irish side does not have a great record in the Europa League, winning just three of their last 16 matches in the competition. In fact, they have lost five of their previous eight games in Europe’s secondary competition.
Rovers recent games in the Europa League have been low scoring, with under 2.5 goals scored in five of their last six matches.
Shamrock have a woeful home record in the competition, winning just two of their last 12 games on home soil, while also suffering defeats in six of their previous eight games.
AIK are currently top of the Swedish top-flight and favourites to progress to the next round of the competition.
The team-based in Solna have a mixed record in the Europa League. In fact, the Swedish side has won just two of their last eight games in the competition. However, they have lost only once in their previous six matches.
AIK’s recent Europa League games have been low scoring, with 12 of their last 13 games in the competition producing under 2.5 goals. The Swedish side has kept clean sheets in four of their last six games in the Europa League.
AIK have a mixed away record in the Europa League, but they have won just three of their last 14 games on their travels. Their last eight away games in the competition have produced under 2.5 goals.
Forebet predicts that AIK will record a victory in a high-scoring encounter that could prove crucial in reaching the next round.