Shamrock Rovers vs Santa Clara: Lineups, Predictions & Betting Tips Predictions

Shamrock Rovers vs Santa Clara Predictions, Lineups & Betting Tips

Match Details: Aug 28, 2025 | Tallaght Stadium | UEFA Conference League Qualifier Play-off, second leg | 20:00 GMT

Having reached the knockout stages of the Conference League last season, the first Irish team to ever do so, Shamrock Rovers are now on the verge of making more history. The Hoops, who have won more titles and cups than any other domestic rival, would become the first ever Irish side to qualify for the group stages of a major European competition without the benefit of the "champions route."

Last Thursday's 1-2 victory in the Azores was one of the finest away victories in Ireland's European club history as it came against a team that finished fifth in Portugal last season, a league ranked seventh by UEFA's own coefficient rankings.

It was something of an amusing sight to see an Irish side out possessing a Portuguese team with the hosts being the ones relying on their physicality and attempting to make the most of set-pieces and long throw ins.

Despite hailing from the more prestigious league, Santa Clara lack the European experienced of Shamrock Rovers, who have gone up against the likes of Molde, AC Milan and Chelsea in recent years. The Dublin outfit also boast a strong record at Tallaght Stadium and as a result, should progress through this tie.

Key Betting Tip: Shamrock Rovers Double Chance at 1.33 odds represents excellent value based on the tip provided by our team of in-house tipsters.

Shamrock Rovers vs Santa Clara Predicted Lineups

Shamrock Rovers Predicted XI: McGinty; Cleary, Lopes, Grace; Grant, Watts, Healy, Nugent, Honohan; Mandroiu, Gaffney.

Santa Clara Predicted XI: Batista; Lima, Rocha, Nunes; Cabral, Adriano, Serginho, Paulo Victor, Vinicius, Costa ,Gabriel Silva.

Recent Shamrock Rovers vs Santa Clara Matches Analysis

Danny Grant and Danny Mandroiu struck as Shamrock Rovers came from behind in the Azores to earn a priceless first-leg win over Portuguese side Santa Clara — putting the Hoops in pole position to reach the group stages once again.

It was a victory built on experience and resilience. Despite falling behind to Vinicius’s opener after 20 minutes, Rovers regrouped quickly and showed their trademark big-game composure to turn the tie around.

Santa Clara, fifth in last season’s Primeira Liga, proved dangerous in spells. Paulo Victor’s cut-back created the opener when Gabriel Silva’s fierce effort was parried by Ed McGinty, only for Vinicius to nod in the rebound.

Rovers briefly looked rattled but steadied themselves and deservedly equalised just before the break. Grant surged forward, combined neatly with Mandroiu, and with Santa Clara backing off, drilled a left-footed strike from the edge of the box that deflected off veteran defender Luis Rocha and into the net.

Both sides had goals ruled out early in the second half, with VAR confirming offside calls against Rocha and later Rory Gaffney. But on 66 minutes Rovers made their pressure count. Dylan Watts’s free kick was recycled by Josh Honohan at the far post, and Mandroiu showed superb composure in the box to dance past two defenders before side-footing calmly beyond Gabriel Batista.

Santa Clara pressed for a late leveller, but their efforts were restricted to long-range strikes that rarely troubled McGinty. Rovers’ game management shone through as they secured a famous away win — leaving them firmly on course for group stage football again, along with the €3.7 million jackpot that comes with it.

Shamrock Rovers Last 5 Matches:

Santa Clara 1-2 Shamrock Rovers (UECL) Shamrock Rovers 2-1 Longford Town (FAI Cup) Shamrock Rovers 4-0 Ballkani (UECL) Ballkani 1-0 Shamrock Rovers (UECL) Shamrock Rovers 2-0 Derry City (LOI)

Rovers showed their maturity by taking their medicine and settling for a narrow defeat in Kosovo and turning the tie against Ballkani around at home in the second leg. In previous European campaigns, the Hoops had been punished for chasing goals away for home and leaving the tie out of reach by the time they got back on Irish soil. That was not the case against Ballkani and having won away to Santa Clara last week, Shamrock Rovers are now in a dream position ahead of the second leg.

Stephen Bradley's incredible squad depth allowed him to rotate for the FAI Cup victory against Longford, a win that is part of Rovers current three-game winning streak.

Santa Clara Last 5 Matches:

Santa Clara 1-2 Shamrock Rovers (UECL) Santa Clara 0-1 Moreirense (LP) Santa Clara 0-0 Larne (UECL) Famalicao 3-0 Santa Clara (LP) Larne 0-3 Santa Clara (UECL)

Santa Clara comfortably overcame Northern Irish side Larne in the previous round but that was expected. In fact, Shamrock Rovers dismantled Larne in the league phase of this competition last season so facing the League of Ireland champions was always going to be a major step up, perhaps Santa Clara were unaware of that fact.

Two defeats from two in the league means Santa Clara are winless in four games.

Shamrock Rovers v Santa Clara Predictions

Our advanced algorithm analyses over 200 data points to generate these predictions with 68% confidence in a Real Madrid victory. The model factors in current form, head-to-head records, player availability, and tactical matchups.

Best Shamrock Rovers vs Santa Clara Betting Tips

Football Park’s Best Bet: Both Teams to Score @ 1.91 - Our team of in-house betting tipsters have predicted both teams will find the net in this fixture.

Key Players to Watch: Shamrock Rovers vs Santa Clara

Roberto "Pico" Lopes (Shamrock Rovers): A 33-year-old Cape Verde international Centre-Back, Lopes has been a mainstay in this hugely succesful Shamrock Rovers team in recent years. Aside from his physical presence, Lopes' leadership and organisation at the back will be crucial as Rovers look to navigate their way through this tie.

Josh Honohan (Shamrock Rovers): The Cork native is currently on the fringes of the Irish national team, which is a rareity for a domestric league player, so that should tell you how impressive Honihan has been ever since his arrival from Cork City last year. A bundle of energy from wing-back, Honohan's direct running power and quality from wide areas is a real sight to behold.

Rory Gaffney (Shamrock Rovers): At 35, Gaffney didn't even have a contract in pre-season as he had to prove his fitness after a couple of difficult years with injury. However, the Galway man has been better than ever this season with nine goals, but he is worth an awful lot more than just that. Gaffney's selfless running and his ability to hold up the ball make him a nightmare for opposition defences.

Joao Costa (Santa Clara): A forward who was the LIGA 3 top scorer with 22 goals in 32 matches for former club Alverca in 2023/24.

Wendell Silva (Santa Clara): A brazilian forward who has played for big clubs such as Flamengo, Santos and Porto.

Shamrock Rovers vs Santa Clara Match Facts

Referee: Matej Jug (Slovenia): A 44-year-old Slovenian, who has been FIFA Listed since 2007.

Broadcast Details:

LOI TV

Stadium Information: Tallaght Stadium - Tallaght Stadium is an association football stadium in Ireland based in Tallaght, South Dublin. The club Shamrock Rovers originally announced details of the stadium in July, 1996. The stadium is now owned and operated by South Dublin County Council with Shamrock Rovers as the anchor tenants. After many long and bitter legal disputes, the stadium did not open until 2009 with Real Madrid one of the first teams to visit in what was Cristiano Ronaldo's first apperance following his move from Man United.