After a poor campaign last season, Juventus FC will look to right the ship against Shamrock Rovers this Thursday in Tallaght Stadium, Dublin. Juve went out of the Champions League in the group stages last year, and were subsequently knocked out of the Europa League by Fulham F.C. (despite holding a 4-1 aggregate advantage). The Turin club were also 7th place in Serie A, their worst finish since being relegated due to corruption in 2006.
Shamrock Rovers hold 2nd place in the Irish Premier halfway through the season. Their second round Europa League qualifier against Israeli side Bnei Yehuda saw them edge by with a 2-1 aggregate victory. Rovers have not been defeated at home in 10 matches but will face considerably more difficult competition when Juventus come to Dublin.
Europa League Qualifying: Shamrock Rovers vs. Juventus
Date: 29 July, 2010 - 20:45 CET
Stadium: Tallaght Stadium - Dublin, Ireland
Referee: David Fernandez Borbalan (Spain)
Shamrock Rovers: Keeper: Alan Mannus
Defenders: Dan Murray, Aidan Price, Craig Sives, Enda Stevens
Midfielders: Stephen Rice, Chis Turner, James Chambers, Robert Bayly
Forwards: Thomas Stewart, Gary Twigg
Manager: Michael O'Neill
Injured: -
Booked: -
Juventus:
Goalkeeper: Alexander Manninger
Defenders: Fabio Grosso, Giorgio Chiellini, Leonardo Bonucci, Jonothan Zebina
Midfielders: Hasan Salihamidzic, Christian Poulsen, Tiago, Felipe Melo
Forwards: Amauri, Vincenzo Iaquinta
Manager: Luigi Delneri
Injured: -
Booked: -
New manager Luigi Delneri could be out as soon as he came in if he fails to qualify for the Europa League group stages. He will have an enormous amount of pressure to be sure his squad doesn't take this match lightly. There is a 20% chance of precipitation with temperatures around 15 degrees in Dublin on Thursday. Spanish referee David Fernandez Borbalan will oversee the match.
Last meeting: These teams have not previously met.
Wins Shamrock Rovers: 0
Wins Juventus: 0
Draws: 0
Juventus are big favorites to win this; bookies have given Shamrock a +1.5 goal handicap. Despite Juventus having the class advantage here, I expect Shamrock to perform strongly at home.
Take Shamrock Rovers at +1.5 or +1.75 in the Asian Handicap market.
The best odds to this game you find at
Betfair,
Betsson and
Bet365.
