Preview: Shamrock Rovers vs. Hamrun Spartans in UEFA Europa Conference League

DUBLIN (Interstat) — A struggling Shamrock Rovers side will look to secure a positive result to end its European campaign when it hosts Malta’s Hamrun Spartans in a UEFA Europa Conference League group stage match on Thursday.

The match at Tallaght Stadium is the final Group B fixture for both teams, who have been eliminated from contention for the knockout round playoffs.

The Hoops (0-2-3, 2 points) enter on a four-match winless run across all competitions. Their most recent outing was a 3-1 away defeat to Iceland’s Breioablik in the Conference League on Dec. 11. Domestically, they needed penalties to advance past St Patrick’s Athletic in the FAI Cup semifinal on Dec. 6 after a 1-1 draw.

Their form in the group stage has been difficult, with a 2-1 home loss to Shakhtar Donetsk and a 2-0 defeat at Slovenia’s Celje among the setbacks. They have conceded 10 goals in their five European matches.

Hamrun Spartans (1-0-4, 3 points) have also found the group stage challenging, with their sole victory a 3-1 home win over Lincoln Red Imps of Gibraltar on Nov. 27. They are in poor recent form, coming off a 3-1 home loss to domestic side Marsaxlokk in the Maltese Premier League on Sunday. In Europe, they fell 2-0 at home to group winner Shakhtar Donetsk on Dec. 11.

The Spartans have struggled offensively in the competition, failing to score in three of their five matches and being shut out in their last two. Their away record in the group is 0-2, with losses at Samsunspor (3-0) and Legia Warsaw (1-0).

According to Interstat’s game simulator, the projected final score is Shamrock Rovers 2, Hamrun Spartans 1.

This match offers both teams a final opportunity to earn a consolation victory in European play before shifting focus. Shamrock Rovers’ next scheduled match is a domestic league encounter against Derry City FC on Jan. 31, 2026.

Kickoff is set for 8 p.m. local time (2000 GMT) on Thursday, Dec. 18, 2025.