FC Ballkani vs Slavia Prague prediction: EUROPE: Europa Conference League – Group Stage betting tips on match 2022-10-26 19:00.
With just three points separating the top-two from the bottom-two in UEFA Europa Conference League (UECL) Group G, both fourth-placed Ballkani and third-placed Slavia Prague need a win to put themselves in the progression picture. If the other game in Group G between Sivasspor and Cluj ends level, whoever loses this encounter will be eliminated, so the Kosovan champions Ballkani will hope for a positive result to extend their maiden European campaign into the new year.
Ballkani are on course to win their second Kosovan title in as many seasons if they can kick on with wins in their games in hand, yet they’ve struggled somewhat on the European front. Their only win to date was in a highly entertaining 4-3 comeback win at Sivasspor, though they are yet to win on home soil despite taking a half-time lead in both of their home group games (D1, L1).
Since a 2-0 loss in Cluj left Slavia Prague locked on four points with Ballkani, they have spent the time since asserting their authority on the domestic front. Fans may feel like they have the freedom of the city following consecutive 4-0 wins against Dukla Prague and bitter rivals Sparta Prague, although a seven-hour scoreless run away from home prior to their cup success over second-tier Dukla remains a concern.
Anything less than victory may be seen as a failure for Slavia, who have reached at least the quarter final stage in three of their last four European campaigns. With just two wins across 13 European away games since the start of last season (D4, L7), victory is by no means assured for Sparta despite their strong favourites tag ahead of their first trip to Pristina.
Key battle: Ballkani defender Armend Thaqi has done well to contribute to four goals across his last four European appearances (G2, A2), but his main prerogative will be to thwart Slavia’s Peter Olayinka. The Slavia forward scored in first and second-half stoppage time in their recent games against their city rivals.
Hot stat: No side across the UECL’s eight groups has seen more than the 17 goals scored in Ballkani’s (4.25 on average) first four group matches.