NK Celje v Shamrock

NK Celje vs Shamrock Rovers Preview

Having been unceremoniously dumped out of the Champions League qualifiers by Slovakian outfit Slovan Bratislava in the previous round of the elite European competition, NK Celje will now look to take their chance in the 3rd qualifying round of the Europa League where they will play host to Irish Premier Division side, Shamrock Rovers, when the two teams meet for this 1st leg tie at the Stadion Z'dežele.

Slovenian hosts, NK Celje, were dealt a comprehensive 6-1 thrashing on aggregate despite producing a promising 1-1 draw at home in the 1st leg but a landslide 5-0 loss in Slovakia put paid to their aspirations of making the group stage of the Champions League.

Nevertheless, NK Celje registered a 7-1 win on aggregate against Estonian club Flora Tallinn in the previous round of the Champions League and the bigger picture shows the hosts have lost just three out of their last 11 matches in all competitions.

Form and results on home soil at their Stadion Z'dežele will also give NK Celje plenty of confidence as the hosts have lost just twice in their last 17 matches in all competitions, picking up 11 wins in the process.

Shamrock Rovers managed to bounce back with a win in the Irish Premier Division on the weekend when they registered a 2-1 win away from home at Waterford and although the Irish club recorded a 2-1 win on aggregate against Icelandic outfit Vikingur Reykjavic in the previous round of the Champions League qualifiers, their dreams were also shattered by a heavy defeat in the last round of the elite competition.

A 6-2 loss on aggregate to Czech Republic side Sparta Prague ended Shamrock Rovers' Champions League campaign but the Irish visitors also have a second bite of the European cherry in the form of this two-legged affair against NK Celje where Stephen Bradley will be looking to turn his side's recent fortunes around.

A previous 1-0 defeat to Bohemians in the Irish Premier Division made it three defeats on the trot for Shamrock Rovers prior to their recent win at Waterford but the bigger picture shows Rovers have managed to capture just five wins in their last 16 matches in all competitions overall.

Victories against Derry City, Drogheda United, Dundalk and Waterford were recorded in the domestic Irish top flight along with a 2-1 home win against Vikingur Reykjavic in the previous Champions League round but the visitors have also been dealt eight defeats within this 16-game period as well.

In addition, Shamrock Rovers have won just twice in their last 10 away games, slipping to five defeats.

NK Celje v Shamrock Rovers Verdict

NK Celje with home advantage should put their Irish visitors to the sword here.

Therefore, our main bet will be NK Celje win @ 1.55

Other side bets worth considering:

NK Celje win & Over 2.5 goals @ 2.40

Correct Score: NK Celje 2-1 @ 8.50