Preview: Shamrock Rovers vs. Vikingur Reykjavik – Champions League Qualifier Match Details * Date: Tuesday, July 5th, 2023 * Time: 8:00 PM IST * Venue: Tallaght Stadium, Dublin Introduction Irish champions Shamrock Rovers will host Icelandic side Vikingur Reykjavik in the first leg of the UEFA Champions League first qualifying round on Tuesday. Both teams will be aiming to make a positive start to their European campaigns and progress to the next round. Team News Shamrock Rovers: * Rovers are expected to field a strong team for this match, with key players such as Rory Gaffney, Graham Burke, and Sean Kavanagh all available. * Manager Stephen Bradley will have a few injury concerns to deal with, however, including defensive midfielder Gary O’Neill, who is a doubt with a knock. Vikingur Reykjavik: * The Icelandic champions will be without several key players due to injuries, including midfielder Aron Gunnarsson and defender Brynjar Ingi Bjarnason. * Manager Gudmundur Benediktsson could also make some changes to his starting lineup from the weekend’s league victory. Form * Shamrock Rovers have won their last four matches in all competitions, including a 2-0 victory over Sligo Rovers in the FAI Cup. * Vikingur Reykjavik are unbeaten in their last five matches, winning three and drawing two. Lineups Shamrock Rovers (Possible): * Keeper: Alan Mannus * Defenders: Sean Kavanagh, Liam Scales, Roberto Lopes, Andy Lyons * Midfielders: Chris McCann, Gary O’Neill, Graham Burke * Forwards: Rory Gaffney, Neil Farrugia, Dean Williams Vikingur Reykjavik (Possible): * Keeper: Patrik Gunnarsson * Defenders: Axel Sigurdarson, Hjalmar Heidarsson, Eiður Gudjohnsen, Brynjar Ingi Bjarnason * Midfielders: Aron Gunnarsson, Birkir Bjarnason, Markus Thorvaldsson * Forwards: Kari Arnason, Jon Dadi Bodvarsson, Albert Gudmundsson Prediction Shamrock Rovers will be confident of a positive result at home, but Vikingur Reykjavik are a dangerous side and should not be underestimated. The Irish champions should have the edge based on their recent form and home advantage, but it could be a close contest. Predicted Score: Shamrock Rovers 2-1 Vikingur ReykjavikChampions League Preview: Shamrock Rovers vs. Vikingur ReykjavikChampions League Preview: Shamrock Rovers vs. Vikingur Reykjavik Date and Time: Tuesday, July 18, 2023 Venue: Tallaght Stadium, Dublin Background: After a goalless draw in the first leg in Iceland, Shamrock Rovers and Vikingur Reykjavik will clash again to determine who advances to the second round of the Champions League qualifying stage. Shamrock Rovers: * Will be buoyed by the clean sheet they secured in the first leg. * Eager to increase their prize money and secure a potential berth in the Conference League group stages. * Expected to adopt a more attacking approach on home soil. Vikingur Reykjavik: * Failed to register a single shot on target in the first leg despite 18 corners. * Have never won an away game in European cup competitions. * Likely to prioritize defending and banking on set-pieces to create chances. Team News: Shamrock Rovers: * Darragh Nugent suspended after a red card in the first leg. * Rory Gaffney, Aaron McEneff, and Graham Burke unavailable due to injury. Vikingur Reykjavik: * Helgi Gudjonsson could be dropped to the bench for Ari Sigurpalsson. * Gunnar Vatnhamar, Oliver Ekroth, Jon Gudni Fjoluson, and Karl Fridleifur Gunnarsson expected to start in defense. Predicted Lineups: Shamrock Rovers: Pohis; Lopes, Cleary, Hoare; Honohan, O’Neill, Watts, Clarke; Kenny, Byrne; Greene Vikingur Reykjavik: Jonsson; Gunnarsson, Ekroth, Vatchamar, Fjoluson; Djuric, Punyed, Sigurpalsson; Agnarsson, Hansen, Ingimundarson Prediction: Shamrock Rovers 1-0 Vikingur Reykjavik Despite being forced to defend in the first leg, Shamrock Rovers showed promising attacking intent. On home soil, they are likely to dominate possession and create more chances. Vikingur Reykjavik will be tough to break down, but Rovers’ determination to progress should see them edge out a narrow victory.Shamrock Rovers will be looking to build on their first-leg advantage when they host Vikingur Reykjavik in the second leg of their UEFA Champions League first qualifying round tie on Tuesday. Rovers won the first leg 2-0 away from home, thanks to goals from Rory Gaffney and Graham Burke. Vikingur will need to score at least three goals to progress to the next round, and they will be boosted by the return of their top scorer, Bjorn Sigurdarson, who missed the first leg through injury. Rovers boss Stephen Bradley is likely to make changes to his team from the first leg, with the likes of Sean Hoare, Chris McCann and Aaron McEneff all pushing for starts. Vikingur coach Arnar Viðarsson is also likely to make changes to his team, with Aron Elís Thrándarson and Andri Rúnar Bjarnason both in contention to start. Predicted lineups Shamrock Rovers: Mannus; Hoare, Grace, O’Brien, Scales; McCann, McEneff, Gaffney, Burke; Greene, Emakhu. Vikingur Reykjavik: Kristinsson; Sigurðsson, Steindorsson, Magnusson, Ingason; Bardarson, Bjarnason, Gunnarsson, Thrandarson; Sigurðarson, Sigurbjörnsson. Prediction Shamrock Rovers are the favorites to progress to the next round, but Vikingur Reykjavik will be no pushovers. The Icelandic side will need to score at least three goals to progress, and they have the quality to do so. However, Rovers are a strong team at home, and they will be confident of holding on to their lead. Predicted score Shamrock Rovers 1-1 Vikingur Reykjavik