Europa Conference League Preview: Bohemians -v- Stjarnan

BOHEMIANS

Bohemians will be hoping that a partisan Aviva Stadium crowd can inspire them to a famous victory in the Europa Conference League as they host Stjarnan in the second-leg of their respective tie (kick-off is at 7.45pm).

The Gypsies earned a hard-fought 1-1 draw in Iceland last week and will be hoping that they can build on that result.

Ireland under-21 Ross Tierney levelled for Keith Long’s side after they fell behind their Icelandic opponents.

“We are a different group this year though so we will have to adapt,” Bohs boss Keith Long said before last week’s first-leg.

“We have some very young players in our squad, but these are players that have played in the UEFA Youth League with the club, the likes of Ross Tierney and Dawson Devoy.

“We hope that those experiences and the experience of last year with the players who are still with us will stand to us. But we are in no doubt that the opposition are a good side.

“We have to make sure that our preparation has been as good as it can be. We want to give a good account of ourselves.

“It is a big challenge for us. On paper, we have a good chance of progression, but Stjarnan will be feeling the very same way.”

 Bohemians have not issued any updated team news as of yet for Thursday’s Aviva showdown against the Icelandic side.

They did, however, see Stephen Mallon and Promise Omochere miss out last week in Iceland during their 1-1 draw.

STJARNAN

After holding Bohemians to a 1-1 draw in Iceland last week, Stjarnan come to Dublin looking to complete the job and knock out the Gypsies at the Aviva Stadium.

Stjarnan will have to face a Bohs side who will be backed by 6,000 home fans at the Lansdowne Road venue as part of a government pilot event for the return of crowds to stadia.

The Icelandic side took a 1-0 lead against Bohs last week, but were pegged back thanks to a Tierney equaliser.

Despite conceding at home, it matters little as away goals do no longer count in European competition.

Stjarnan have not issued any team news for Thursday’s clash at the Aviva Stadium.

Referee: Jason Barcelo (Gibraltar).

MATCH STATS

This will be the first time Bohemians have played at the Aviva Stadium since the ground was redeveloped in the early 2010s.

Bohemians have not won a European tie since their 9-3 aggregate win over Welsh side Rhyl in 2008’s Intertoto Cup.

Out of their last 15 European games, Bohs have won just four ties on aggregate, and have won 9 of their last 29 European games this century.

BETTING

Bohemians 4/9; Draw 3/1; Stjarnan 4/1

PREDICTION

Bohemians 1 - 0 Stjarnan

Bohemians

Injured: None.

Doubtful: None.

Suspended: None.

Stjarnan

Injured: N/A.

Doubtful: N/A

Suspended: None.