Kyle Shanahan expects 49ers fans at Melbourne Cricket Ground on Thursday

San Francisco 49ers coach Kyle Shanahan anticipates a large turnout of the team's supporters at the Melbourne Cricket Ground for Thursday night's NFL matchup against the Los Angeles Rams. The game marks the league's first regular-season contest held in Australia. Shanahan previously criticized the Rams for moving a home game to an international site to avoid the San Francisco fan base that frequently fills SoFi Stadium. Despite the relocation, the coach stated on Sunday that he expects the atmosphere to remain similar to games played in California. The matchup carries significant weight for divisional tiebreakers, prompting debate over whether such consequential games should be scheduled for the international series. The 49ers are currently in Melbourne preparing for the Rams.

• 2:57 AMYahoo Sports — Kyle Shanahan expects 49ers fan takeover vs. Rams in Melbourne