Preview: Shamrock Rovers seek to close in on Conference League play-off in Vienna

Shamrock Rovers are in Austria tonight as they begin the first of three European ties before Christmas with a view to sealing a place in the play-off round of the Europa Conference League.

The Hoops have had a superb run in the competition and are on course to make history by becoming the first Irish side to emerge from a group stage.

Rapid Vienna will provide their sternest test in Europe this calendar year since the meeting with Sparta Prague in the Champions League qualifying.

Stephen Bradley has targeted even avoiding the play-offs and finishing in the top eight in the Conference – a feat which may require a result in Austria and at home to Borac Banja Luka of Bosnia & Herzegovina.

Chelsea are the final opponent in a league phase which could not have fallen any better for the now former Premier Division champions.

Nevertheless there is a major difference between being handed a favourable draw and taking the chance.

Wins over Larne and TNS – both comfortable and demonstrating the superiority of the League of Ireland's flagship side compared to Northern Ireland and Welsh counterparts – have been key.

The top eight teams in the table will automatically reach the last 16 of the competition.

The teams ranked from ninth to 24th will contest the knockout phase play-offs, with the teams ranked from ninth to 16th seeded for the draw.

A seeded draw could be massive if it is to be a play-off, yet that will be diffcult with the calibre of opponent to come.

Tonigh's game is significant step up - even from the APOEL home match - with Vienna possessing a 100% record so far.

Many will view the Chelsea match as the standout fixture of the campaign - understandably so as a giant of the Premier League - but over 20,000 fans are expected for this