Preview: Shamrock Rovers welcome Djurgardens to start group stage

As Shamrock Rovers chase a third title in a row, and with the business end of the season approaching, the thoughts of adding six more games to the schedule would normally prove a nightmare for a contending team.

Not the case, however, when you are talking group stages of a European competition, no doubt, the holy grail for any League of Ireland manager, player and entire support base.

Rovers embark on that particular voyage tonight as they welcome Swedish side Djurgardens to Tallaght Stadium for the first of six fixtures that will take the footballing calendar right up to the upcoming, unseasonal World Cup in November and December.

Hoops manager Stephen Bradley spoke with real belief at the pre-match press conference, saying that he expected his side to win games if they hit their levels over the next six games.

First up, Rovers welcome the Stockholm side to Tallaght tonight, and while Djurgardens were placed among the fourth seeds for the draw, with Rovers in pot three, it will be the visitors who start the game as favourites.

Djurgardens are a team full of experience with many international level players amongst their ranks and proved their pedigree already this season, accounting for top Cypriot side APOEL.

Rovers, however, are coming into the contest brimming with confidence, despite the Dublin derby defeat at the weekend, and will be buoyed by the fact that they have already won all four European home games throughout the summer.

Richie Towell and Roberto Lopes are the only absentees from a strong squad, while players like Jack Byrne and Dan Cleary have not played much football recently but should grow stronger throughout the six-game series.

Bradley is taking it game-by-game, however, there have been moments of real