Chelsea vs Shamrock Rovers preview: Free betting tips, odds and predictions

CHELSEA take on Shamrock Rovers in their final Conference League encounter of the calendar year at Stamford Bridge on Thursday.

SunSport betting experts have previewed the contest and selected the best bets, tips and exclusive sign-up bonuses from our leading betting partners.

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Chelsea vs Shamrock Rovers preview

Chelsea’s procession to the knockout stages of the Conference League continues on Thursday when they welcome the most successful team in the Republic of Ireland to Stamford Bridge.

The Blues are making light work of the Conference League having won all five of their matches, scoring 21 goals and conceding just four – the most and fewest of any side in the competition.

Enzo Maresca’s side have done it all using their fringe players, and that’s certainly proven a wise decision with his side now second in the Premier League and just two behind leaders Liverpool.

The bookies now consider Chelsea the closest rivals to Liverpool for the title, while they are remarkably odds-on at 4/6 to win the Conference League title.

Chelsea beat Brentford in west London last time out, which was their SEVENTH successive win in all competitions, and they’ll be confident of making it eight as Shamrock Rovers visit this week.

It’s the first time that these two sides have met and unsurprisingly the Irish side are 45/1 to cause a shock upset.

The Hoops, managed by Stephen Bradley, are unbeaten in the group stages, winning three of their five games and picking up impressive draws with Rapid Vienna and APOEL.

They’ve proven to be defensively sound having also only conceded four goals in five European matches, but clearly this is a huge step up for the sixth-placed side.

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Chelsea vs Shamrock Rovers preview betting odds

• Chelsea 1/11 with William Hill – CLAIM HERE

• Draw 10/1 with Betfred – CLAIM HERE

• Shamrock Rovers 45/1 with BetMGM – CLAIM HERE

Odds are correct at the time of publication and are subject to change.

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Chelsea vs Shamrock Rovers preview betting tips and predictions

Nkunku Nkunku

It’s difficult to look beyond Christopher Nkunku to fill his boots this week.

The France international, 27, is the competition’s joint-top scorer with five goals, and has a very respectable record of 12 goals in 903 minutes of competitive action this season. He’s scored in every Conference League game he’s started this season and should continue that record.

• Christopher Nkunku to score 2+ goals at 29/10 with William Hill – CLAIM HERE

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Fast start

Marc Guiu doesn’t hang about. The Spanish teenager, 18, has struck three goals in the Conference League this season and all have arrived before the 20th minute! Shamrock Rovers can also be sluggish starters having conceded twice inside the opening ten minutes in two of their last four matches.

• Marc Guiu to score in the first 10 minutes at 8/1 with William Hill – CLAIM HERE

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