Recommended bets

Over 2.5 goals is 21/20.

Ludogorets to win and over 2.5 goals is 29/10.

Match preview

Shamrock Rovers' Aidomo Emakhu applauds the fans at the end of the UEFA Europa Conference League Third Qualifying Round, First Leg match at the Tallaght Stadium in Dublin, Ireland. Picture date: Thursday August 5, 2021. 2GBXG99 Shamrock Rovers’ Aidomo Emakhu applauds the fans at the end of the UEFA Europa Conference League Third Qualifying Round, First Leg match at the Tallaght Stadium in Dublin, Ireland. Picture date: Thursday August 5, 2021.

Ludogorets Razgrad were overwhelming favourites to get through when the draw was made and they showed exactly why last Tuesday night.

Pieros Sotiriou bagged a brace before Igor Thiago was on target in stoppage time in a 3-0 home win at Huvepharma Arena.

So, the Bulgarian side bring a three-goal advantage with them to Dublin, one that should prove unassailable.

The Eagles have now won 11 successive Bulgarian First League titles, despite having not won a single major trophy before this.

Thus, at the very least, Ante Šimundža’s side are expecting to reach the Europa League group phase, dreaming of a Champions League return.

Shamrock Rovers sole group appearance came in the Europa League 11 years ago.

Subsequently, the Hoops’ best run came last season, falling to Flora Tallinn in the play-offs.

Despite looking dead and buried in this tie, the Irish side will get two more chances to secure group stage qualification.

That’s because the losers will drop into the Europa League third qualifying round and face the losers of GNK Dinamo Zagreb vs Shkupi.

As for the winners, their Champions League adventure continues into the third qualifying round where the winners of that aforementioned match-up await.