15 August 2026
By Roger Kennedy
roger@TheCork.ie
The qualifying rounds in the European competitions are approaching their climax. The Conference League play-off round decides who progresses to the league phase, which guarantees every club €3.17 million. Find a preview of the first leg between Shamrock Rovers and Finnish side KuPS in the 1xBet.ie review.
Betting brand 1xBet.ie has prepared a special offer for the match: new clients can use the 1XWIN26 promo code and receive €48 for betting at least €10!
Why the home game will be particularly interesting
This season, Shamrock have been performing very well on their home ground in European tournaments. Their victories over Malta’s Floriana (5-1), Armenian side Ararat-Armenia (2-1) and Albanian club Egnatia (3-1) were impressive. Under Stephen Bradley, Rovers have learnt to play from a position of strength at home, turning Tallaght Stadium into a fortress.
True, the team doesn’t look quite as convincing away from home, and the painful 5-1 defeat to the Albanians will be remembered for a long time. But right now, it’s probably not worth dwelling on that – the players have to focus on the next match and the next tournament. The Hoops will put all their efforts into gaining an advantage ahead of the away leg.
Meanwhile, the Finnish club feels quite at ease in away games. KuPS also started the season in the Champions League, but failed to progress far in either the continent’s top competition or the Europa League. However, the team looked pretty good in their away fixtures. The Finns beat North Macedonia’s Vardar 2-0, lost only 1-0 to Azerbaijani club Sabah, and Romanian side Universitatea Craiova beat them 2-1 with great difficulty, having conceded first.
What to expect from Shamrock Rovers
Bradley continues to rely on a 3-5-2 formation, which, in theory, should produce high-tempo football with quick transitions from defence to attack. Impressive runs down the flanks, lots of crosses and an emphasis on physical duels in the opposition box – that’s how the team looks in its best matches.
If the opposition apply high, aggressive pressing, the Hoops immediately switch to long balls, bypassing the counter-pressing zone and forcing the opposition defence to rush back towards their own goal. Whether this approach will prove successful against KuPS, who play in the fairly physical Finnish league, is a good question for those who place bets on 1xBet.ie online.
Why KuPS could prove tough to beat
The season in Finland’s Veikkausliiga is in full swing, and the Yellow-Blacks are in excellent physical condition heading into the game. In away matches, Miika Nuutinen’s side prefer a compact structure. KuPS allow their opponents to control the ball and wait patiently for opportunities to launch counterattacks. The 4-3-3 formation instantly shifts to a 4-4-2 or 4-5-1, capitalising on the speed of their wingers.
It will be important to close down the space in front of 35-year-old Petteri Pennanen. KuPS build a lot of their attacks through this experienced midfielder, who has played in Indonesia, Poland, India and the US. Forward Jaime Moreno is also worth noting: the 31-year-old Nicaragua international has scored 10 goals in 16 matches in the Finnish league. He has also scored against Universitatea Craiova and is in good form.
The home advantage and greater experience of playing in Europe give Shamrock the edge at the start of their clash with the Finns. Use the offer of what makes 1xBet.ie, claim the bonus for new clients and enjoy watching your favourite teams compete in European tournaments. Time to make a final push as the summer draws to a close!
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