Shamrock vs KuPS – News and Probable Lineups

The Irish champions, Shamrock Rovers, are set to host Finland’s title-holders KuPS at Tallaght Stadium on Thursday for the initial leg of their Conference League qualification playoff fixture.

The Hoops are aiming to recover from a series of back-to-back losses, while the Yellow-Black look to continue their positive momentum after their recent victory.

Match overview

Stephen Bradley’s Rovers successfully made it to the Conference League proper in both the 2024-25 and 2025-26 seasons, but their recent challenges have cast doubt on their ability to reach the group stage this time around.

The Hoops faced elimination from the Champions League qualifying rounds after a 3-2 aggregate defeat to Ararat-Armênia in late July, where their 2-1 victory in the second leg failed to compensate for a 2-0 loss in the first.

Further complicating matters, in the third round of Europa League qualifying, Bradley’s team was knocked out with an aggregate score of 6-4 by Egnatia Rrogozhine, who handed the Irish side a 5-1 defeat on August 13.

To add to their woes, Rovers returned to domestic play with a 3-2 defeat against their rivals, St Patrick’s Athletic, and they will need to overcome their recent form to achieve a strong opening in this pivotal playoff clash.

On a positive note for the Hoops, they have not lost in their last nine matches on home ground, having secured victory in each of their last seven games during that stretch, leading fans to expect a spirited performance from them on Thursday.

On the other side, Miika Nuutinen’s KuPS also reached the league phase of the Conference League last season, but they have struggled with consistency in their performances lately.

Last Sunday, the Yellow-Black secured a 2-1 victory over Lahti in the Finnish top division, coming from behind to clinch their first win in four matches across all competitions.

In Continental competitions, like their opponents, Nuutinen’s team was eliminated from the Champions League qualifiers last month, subsequently falling 3-2 on aggregate against Universitatea Craiova in the Europa League’s third qualifying round.

KuPS drew 1-1 in the first leg at home and lost the away match 2-1 on August 13, a particularly disappointing outcome as they took the lead through Valentin Roman Gasc just four minutes into the match.

This loss not only dropped the Yellow-Black into the Conference League qualifiers but also marked their second consecutive away defeat in Europe, though fans may be reassured by the fact that those were their only defeats in the last 12 matches overall — a span that includes eight wins.

Team News

Rovers are facing a significant number of absentees in the attacking positions this week, including midfielders Naj Razi (muscle) and Victor Ozhianvuna (muscle), along with right winger Daniel Grant (muscle) and striker John McGovern (groin).

Given these circumstances, Bradley may choose to field a forward pairing of Graham Burke and Aaron Greene, with Dylan Watts and Jack Byrne providing support from midfield, while Jake Mulraney and William Fitzgerald offer width from the wing-back positions.

On the defensive front, centre-back Daniel Cleary is recovering from a muscle injury, although Tunmise Sobowale, Roberto Lopes, and Enda Stevens are expected to form the hosts’ defensive trio.

For KuPS, they have a largely fit squad, so it is anticipated that Jaime Moreno will lead their attack on Thursday, supported by a three-man unit consisting of Tommi Jyry, Petteri Pennanen, and Bob Nii Armah.

Defensively, Brahima Magassa and Kasim Adams are likely to start at centre-back, flanked by full-backs Akseli Puukko and Taneli Hamalainen.

Shamrock Rovers probable starting XI:

McGinty; Sobowale, Lopes, Stevens; Mulraney, Watts, Healy, Byrne, Fitzgerald; Burke, Greene

KuPS probable starting XI:

Kreidl; Puukko, Magassa, Adams, Hamalainen; Gasc, Touray; Jyry, Pennanen, Armah; Moreno

While Rovers may not currently be at their strongest form, and supporters will be disheartened by the heavy defeat they suffered last in Europe, the resilience demonstrated by the Irish champions at home suggests they could emerge victorious in this encounter.

Nevertheless, KuPS will be a formidable opponent, and it wouldn’t be unexpected if the visiting side managed to score, even if they ultimately suffer a narrow defeat on their travels.