FC Koln vs Slovacko prediction: EUROPE: Europa Conference League – Group Stage betting tips on match 2022-09-14 19:00.
It’s been a curious start to the campaign for Cologne, who have lost just once in Bundesliga action (W2, D3, L1) while recording a draw in their Europa Conference League (UECL) opener. Consistency has been the biggest issue for them this season, with the result of each game differing from the last, though they may like that to continue for at least one more game after losing 1-0 to fellow European participants Union Berlin over the weekend.
Terrible scenes of violence in the stands marred what in truth was a positive 1-1 draw with Nice on the opening UECL day, as Cologne notched their first away point in a UEFA group stage since the 1997 Intertoto Cup. The omens are good for the Billy Goats, who won two of their three home group games on their last foray into Europe in the 2017/18 Europa League, whilst they reached the UEFA Cup final in their only previous pairing with Czech opponents in 1985/86, when they beat Bohemians Praha 8-2 on aggregate!
This group was left perfectly poised heading into matchday two as Czech cup winners Slovácko also drew their opener 3-3 against Partizan Belgrade. A frustrating result in truth, especially given that Slovácko raced into a two-goal lead within 20 minutes but found themselves stumbling over the line to take a point against the ten men of Belgrade!
That result was followed up with another draw in the league to extend Slovácko’s competitive winless run to five games (D3, L2), as manager Martin SvÄ›dĂk highlighted that competing in both Europe and the league is a “test of mental endurance”. There is a grain of hope for the side from UherskĂ© HradištÄ› though, as their most recent European away game saw Slovácko win for the first time on their continental travels (D4, L5).
Players to watch: Florian Kainz has contributed to four goals across his last five appearances for Cologne (G1, A3), though the sole goal was from the penalty spot. As for Slovácko, Libor Kozák was the top-scorer in the 2012/13 Europa League proper for Lazio with eight goals, and five of those came against German clubs!
Hot stat: Just two of Cologne’s last eight competitive games were goalless at half-time.