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AIK to advance in Europa League qualifying

Europa League | Preview
20/07/18
AIK to advance in Europa League qualifying

Sweden's AIK take a one goal lead into their Europa League first round qualifying second leg match against Shamrock Rovers. The two clubs will meet on Thursday night in the return leg at AIK's Friends Arena.

AIK are undefeated in 14 league games this season and 16 in all competitions. The club is atop Sweden's Allsvenskan and hasn't tasted defeat yet. AIK's league form proved difficult for Shamrock Rovers to handle in the first leg. Despite being outplayed by AIK, the League of Ireland club only lost by a single goal. Now, Shamrock Rovers will hope they can pull of a major upset.

Shamrock Rovers are major underdogs, but an away goal will force the clubs into extra-time as long as they prevent AIK from scoring. Manager Stephen Bradley and his players could spoil AIK's progression thanks to the away goals rule. However, Shamrock Rovers have to find the back of the net to have any hope of going through to the second qualifying round.

AIK possess a defence that has been incredibly difficult to break down this term. The Swedish club has only allowed 10 goals in Allvenskan play this term. The team has kept back-to-back clean sheets in all competitions. Last weekend, AIK defeated rivals Sundsvall 1-0 and moved to +14 in goal difference this season.

Rikard Norling's team is led by goal scorer Tarik Elyounoussi. The Norwegian forward has tallied four goals this term in league play and three more in the domestic cup. While Elyounoussi is the team's leading scorer in the league, it was big midfielder Daniel Sundgren that scored the only goal of the first leg agaisnt Shamrock Rovers. The goal came in the 74th minute to break the Irish club's heart. AIK were able to pass through Shamrock Rovers' defence quite easily and Sundgren had little resistance getting the ball into the back of the net.

AIK's home ground, the Friends Arena, has been a fortress for the club. Not only are AIK unbeaten in 16 games in all competitions, but 12 of those games came at home. AIK are heavy favourites and should continue their fine defensive form at home on Thursday night. A win on Thursday will see AIK book their place in the second qualifying round against either Northern Ireland's Cliftonville or Denmark's Nordsjaelland. Although AIK can go through with a nil-nil draw, the club will be hoping for another strong performance and win against Shamrock Rovers.

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Europa League Group B
OVERALL TABLE PTS GP W D L +/-
1
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2
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3
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OVERALL TABLE PTS GP W D L +/-
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Europa League Group D
OVERALL TABLE PTS GP W D L +/-
1
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2
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3
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4
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Europa League Group E
OVERALL TABLE PTS GP W D L +/-
1
 Liverpool 12 6 4 0 2 10
2
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OVERALL TABLE PTS GP W D L +/-
1
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4
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OVERALL TABLE PTS GP W D L +/-
1
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2
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3
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4
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OVERALL TABLE PTS GP W D L +/-
1
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