Europa Conference League Odds: What Are Shamrock Rovers’ Chances?
Shamrock Rovers enjoyed an encouraging start to their campaign on home soil last week.
They will be hoping to build further momentum in Group F of the UEFA Europa Conference League on Thursday night, and betting sites are ready for kick-off.
Although both sides generated a number of scoring chances at the Tallaght Stadium, Rovers ultimately played out a scoreless draw with Swedish outfit Djurgardens on their return to European group football.
Gent of Belgium did the same in their away clash against Molde, but what are the chances of history repeating itself in the second round of fixtures?
Having failed to pick up a point in the group stages of the UEFA Europa League in 2011/12, the Dublin side will take comfort from the fact that they are already up and running in the Conference League with five games still to play.
Given the experience and youthful exuberance he has at his disposal, Rovers manager Stephen Bradley is hoping to be in contention for a knockout spot come the final game of Group F on November 3.
Gent Expected To Come Through Rovers Test
Although the Irish side’s away record in the qualification phases of the UEFA Champions League and Europa League this season wasn’t at the same level as their home one, Gent did suffer a surprise 4-0 aggregate defeat to Omonia Nicosia – managed by former Northern Ireland international Neil Lennon – in the Europa play-offs.
Nevertheless, Gent have a strong pedigree on the continent and are firm favourites with the best football betting sites to register their first win of the campaign at the Ghelamco Arena.
Within the past seven seasons, the Belgians have made it to the knockout rounds of all three European competitions – including the inaugural Conference League season of 2021/22.
Team boss Hein Vanhaezebrouck can call upon no fewer than 10 players who have gained full international recognition.
However, Rovers also have a number of players who have represented their countries at the highest level.
With a number of key factors coming into play, Ladbrokes are offering odds of 1/3 on Gent emerging victorious in their first home game of the group. Meanwhile, the same bookmaker are valuing a Rovers triumph at a whopping 8/1 price.
Another Sharing Of The Spoils Can’t Be Dismissed
Considering how the opening round of fixtures went, the prospect of another draw can’t be ruled out.
Paddy Power are currently offering 4/1 on another stalemate and this could well entice punters as they ponder how this game might unfold.
Odds of 17/2 are being offered on a 1-1 draw in Ghent, with another scoreless affair rated as a 14/1 possibility.
The shortest rate you can get on a Rovers win at the present moment is 1-0 at 20/1, whereas a Gent victory by the same margin is valued at 5/1.
A 2-0 home success is seen as the most likely outcome however, with odds of 5/1 with 10Bet available for that.
Yet Rovers are more than capable of finding the net and that makes the offer of 15/2 on a 2-1 Gent win an interesting proposition.
As regards the overall shake-up, Gent are currently the 11th favourites to be crowned Conference League champions with odds ranging from 40/1 to 66/1.
Rovers, on the other hand, remain low in the reckoning with the odds on them securing European silverware being 500/1.
Dublin Club At A More Advanced Stage In Their Season
Despite what betting apps believe, one edge that Rovers might have on Gent is the fact that they have played far more games in recent months.
The Belgian First Division 1A only got underway on July 22 and Gent have played just eight games to date – winning four, drawing two and losing two.
By contrast, Rovers have just eight games left to play in the SSE Airtricity League Premier Division and are currently at the summit of the table with 18 wins, five draws and five defeats from 28 encounters.
They warmed up for Thursday’s game with an emphatic 5-1 triumph at the expense of Finn Harps in Tallaght on Sunday. In addition to a brace from Neil Farrugia, Rory Gaffney, Andy Lyons and Jack Byrne also found the net.
This was Byrne’s first goal since February, and he has been used sparingly by Bradley after his recent return from injury.
Having spent time in England, Scotland, Netherlands and Cyprus, as well picking up two senior caps with the Republic of Ireland, Byrne is one man who could light up this Conference League group stage.
Whether that’s as a starter or as a substitute on Thursday evening, the Rovers supporters will hope that Byrne and his team-mates can leave a lasting impression on their latest away trip in Europe.