Slovan Bratislava vs APOEL Prediction: Slovan Bratislava are favored to secure a 2-0 victory over APOEL in this Champions League qualifier at Štadión Tehelné pole.
Match Details
Slovan Bratislava and APOEL are set to clash in the first leg of their UEFA Champions League third qualifying round tie on Wednesday, August 7, 2024. The match kicks off at 7:30 PM local time at Štadión Tehelné pole in Bratislava, Slovakia.
Predicted Slovan Bratislava vs APOEL Lineups, Injury and Team News
Slovan Bratislava Lineup (4-3-3): Weiss, Takac, Bajric, Kucka, Wimmer, Blackman, Savvidis, Zuberu, Mak, Kashia, Strelec
APOEL Lineup (4-3-3): Tejera, Ndongala, Petrovic, Kostadinov, Susic, Dvali, Quintilla, Belec, Sarfo, Marquinhos, Drazic
Injury Report and Unavailable Players
As of the latest reports, neither team has announced any major injury concerns or suspensions. However, here’s a breakdown of the current situation:
Slovan Bratislava:
- No significant injuries reported
- All key players appear to be available for selection
APOEL:
- No major injury concerns announced
- Full squad expected to be at the manager’s disposal
Notable returns:
- Kyriakos Savvidis (Slovan Bratislava) – Available after serving his suspension in the previous round
It’s worth noting that both teams have been relatively tight-lipped about their squad status, which is common in high-stakes European qualifiers. Any last-minute changes or surprise omissions will likely be revealed closer to kick-off.
Key Players to Watch
For Slovan Bratislava, striker David Strelec has been in fine form, netting three goals in Champions League qualifying so far. Experienced wingers Robert Mak and Vladimir Weiss Jr. will be crucial in providing attacking support.
APOEL will look to Brazilian winger Marquinhos, who scored in both legs of their previous round, to provide an offensive spark. Veteran striker Youssef El-Arabi could also pose a threat if given the nod to start.
Recent Form
Slovan Bratislava enter this fixture in impressive form, having won five and drawn one of their last six matches across all competitions. The Slovakian champions have been particularly strong at home, securing convincing victories in their previous Champions League qualifiers.
APOEL, on the other hand, have had a more limited competitive schedule. They narrowly progressed through their second qualifying round tie against Petrocub with a 1-0 home win followed by a 1-1 away draw.
Who Will Win?
Given Slovan Bratislava’s strong home record and recent form, they enter this match as favorites. The Slovakian side’s familiarity with Champions League qualifying and their attacking prowess could prove decisive.
Predicted Score: Slovan Bratislava 2-0 APOEL
Where to Watch?
Here’s the Slovan Bratislava vs APOEL Live Streaming and TV Schedule for select countries:
- Bosnia and Herzegovina: Moja TV, Arena Sport 1P
- Cyprus: Cablenet Sports 1
- Kazakhstan: Sport Plus
- Slovakia: Dvojka
Unfortunately, no broadcast information is currently available for viewers in the United States.
What’s at Stake
The winner of this two-legged tie will advance to the Champions League playoff round, moving one step closer to the lucrative group stage. The losing side will drop into the Europa League playoffs, still with a chance to secure European football for the season.
Key Battle
The midfield contest between Slovan’s experienced Juraj Kucka and APOEL’s defensive midfielder could be crucial in determining which side controls the tempo of the game.
This Champions League qualifier promises to be an intriguing encounter between two sides eager to progress in Europe’s elite competition. Slovan Bratislava’s home advantage and recent form make them slight favorites, but APOEL’s European pedigree ensures they cannot be underestimated.
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