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Sunday, February 9, 2025

Chelsea vs Shamrock Rovers Predictions, Betting Tips, and H2H 19/12/2024

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Chelsea vs Shamrock Rovers Preview

Chelsea and Shamrock Rovers clash in the UEFA Conference League on December 19th as the Hoops look to secure a place in the Round of 16. The Blues confirmed their spot but will be determined to top the table and finish as strongly as possible.

Rovers find themselves in a great position with automatic qualification for the knockout rounds in their hands. However, they face a mammoth task against the competition favourites. Can Shamrock slay a European giant, or will Chelsea prove too strong for Stephen Bradley’s team?

Chelsea vs Shamrock Rovers Predictions

Score Prediction: Chelsea 3-1 Shamrock Rovers

Shamrock Rovers came agonisingly close to a record-extending 22nd League of Ireland trophy before Shelbourne snatched it from them in dramatic fashion. Regardless, their strong LOI form has carried over into the UEFA Conference League. The Hoops have exceeded expectations so far and are one of just three teams that remain unbeaten in the competition. However, they now face their toughest test against the favourites to lift the trophy.

Chelsea have lived up to expectations in their dominance. Enzo Maresca’s team has won all five of their UCL fixtures so far. The Italian coach will hope to end the league stage with a 100% record. They are in fine form, losing just two games in all competitions so far this season. The Blues have waltzed through most of their opponents in this competition and are overwhelming favourites here, despite Rovers being unbeaten. Our soccer prediction is for Chelsea to end Rovers’ undefeated streak and finish the league phase with a 100% record.

Chelsea’s league form has been a pleasant surprise to fans this season. The Blues sit in second place, two points from the leaders, Liverpool. Despite Blues fans and Chelsea trying to downplay any talks of a title challenge, they have to be considered contenders. 

That form has carried over into the Conference League. Maresca’s men have been blowing teams out of the water in Europe so far. They have scored three goals or more in four of their five fixtures so far. The Blues put eight past Armenian minnows, FC Noah in matchday three. The Conference League has been an incredibly exciting addition to the European club calendar, but Chelsea is a big fish in a small pond.

Their attacking depth is excellent, evidenced by their goal-scoring record in the competition. No team in any of the three major European competitions has scored more than Chelsea’s 21 goals. They have matched their efforts up front with a sturdy defence, conceding four in five games. Chelsea will be too strong at both ends of the pitch for Shamrock Rovers on Thursday. 

Rovers have a puncher’s chance in this game and Chelsea would be foolish to underestimate a side that is undefeated in the competition so far. They will probably try to frustrate Chelsea with a low block, putting bodies behind the ball. Stephen Bradley’s team will lose the battle for possession and aim to shut up shop and try to catch the Blues on the counter. They will rely on striker Johnny Kenny to continue his clinical finishing. A draw would be enough to send them through to the Round of 16 if other results went in their favour.

Chelsea vs Shamrock Rovers Betting Tips

Match Result

Chelsea is the overwhelming favourite for this game. The talent available is on a different level to Shamrock Rovers and they should win this game handily. A bet on Chelsea is worth 1/25. There is little value in betting on the Blues at those odds with a €10 returning €0.40. 

You can extend those odds by betting on the match result and both teams to score. Chelsea have only kept clean sheets in two of their five games. They are probably going to field a weakened side here and Shamrock Rovers may have more opportunities to score on counterattacks than they would expect. A bet on Chelsea to win and both teams to score is worth 6/4 for anyone betting on the UEFA Conference League.

Why not look at a bet on Shamrock Rovers if you think they can cause a huge upset? The Hoops are worth 18/1 with our online bookmaker. Chelsea have already confirmed their place in the Round of 16 and Maresca will rotate his squad with an away fixture against Everton just around the corner. You can also bet on a draw, worth 15/2. A double chance bet on Shamrock Rovers to win or draw is also 15/2.

Goalscorer

Most of Christopher Nkunku’s starts for Chelsea have come in the Conference League this season. The French attacker has not disappointed in his European outings and is currently the top scorer in the competition with five goals. He appeared off the bench in Chelsea’s win against Brentford last weekend and will probably get an opportunity to start here. Soccer betting will fancy Nkunku as the Blues’ main goal threat here. We like a bet on Nkunku to score anytime.

Chelsea vs Shamrock Rovers Head-To-Head and Key Stats

Shamrock Rovers have continued to silence any doubters throughout the UEFA Conference League campaign. The Hoops have three wins and two draws from five fixtures and sit in sixth place heading into the final matchday. That currently gives them a place in the Round of 16 with the top eight teams progressing automatically and 9th-24th entering a playoff round. 

Rovers opened their account by snatching a draw at home to APOEL Nicosia in their first game. The Cypriot side dominated the game, finishing with 68% possession and 14 shots to two. They also played most of the game with a one-man advantage following Neil Farrugia’s red card in the 50th minute. Rovers conceded eight minutes later but showed great character to keep APOEL out before Dylan Billy Watts scored a dramatic equaliser in additional time.

They followed up with a 4-1 rout of NIFL Champions Larne, a 2-1 victory over Welsh champions The New Saints, and a 1-1 draw on the road against Austria’s most successful club, Rapid Wien. Stephen Bradley’s side most recently met Bosnian champions Borac. A classic rearguard performance from the Hoops saw them secure a third victory with a 3-0 win. Johnny Kenny scored a brace in that game, taking him to five goals and placing him second overall in the competition’s top scorers chart.

Chelsea have been the strongest performers in the Conference League. They have a 100% record so far, winning all five games to sit on top of the table. The Blues’ previous game secured their place in the Round of 16, and they are clear favourites to win the competition for the first time.

They began their run with a 4-2 victory over Belgian side Gent in a scoreline that flattered the visitors. Chelsea dominated all facets of the game, ‌making it look like a training session. A 4-1 away win over Panathinaikos followed before they destroyed Armenian side FC Noah 8-0 with six different goalscorers on the day. The Blues confirmed their place in the knockout rounds with a 3-1 victory on the road to FC Astana. 

Chelsea’s attacking prowess has been on show throughout the competition so far. Christopher Nkunku has found the net five times and leads the Conference League. Portuguese summer signing Joao Felix isn’t far behind with four while Mykhailo Mudryk and Marc Guiu have chipped in with three apiece. Maresca has a wealth of attacking talent at his disposal who can put any team in the competition to the sword.

These sides have never met in competitive action, making this a historic fixture. Rovers are no strangers to European nights in London, famously meeting Tottenham Hotspur in the 2011/12 Europa League. The Hoops have nearly completed a ‘giant-killing’ once this season against Rapid Wien, but this will be the toughest fixture in this competition.

Chelsea Team News

Enzo Maresca will rest several players with the winter fixture list becoming heavier. This will be game two of three in seven days for the Blues. Joao Felix has missed the last two games with an undisclosed injury and is unlikely to play a part in this game. Romeo Lavia has also missed those fixtures and is unlikely to play until they meet Everton. Benoit Badiashile picked up a training injury and his return date is unknown. 

Carney Chukwuemeka returned to action against Astana before being left out of the squad that faced Brentford last weekend. He could make his return against Shamrock Rovers. Reece James, Wesley Fofana, and Ben Chilwell are all expected out until the New Year.

  • Predicted lineup: Jorgensen, Acheampong, Adarabioyo, Disasi, Veiga, Dewsbury-Hall, Chukwuemeka, George, Nkunku, Mudryk, Guiu.

Shamrock Rovers Team News

There are no fresh injury worries for Shamrock Rovers. Stephen Bradley will stick with the side that ran out 3-0 winners against Borac last week. Bradley has success with a three-man defence and compact midfield and will see no reason to change that system for this game.

  • Predicted lineup: Pohls, Cleary, Lopes, Grace, Burns, Watts, O’Neill, Poom, Honohan, Kenny, Farrugia.
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