Slovan Bratislava vs Manchester City prediction: EUROPE: Champions League – League phase betting tips on match 2024-09-30 19:00.
[p]After their UEFA Champions League (UCL) debut ended in a thumping 5-1 defeat at Celtic, life gets no easier for Slovan Bratislava on matchday two as they welcome English champions Manchester City. The difference in resources is stark, with Slovan’s entire squad believed to be valued at less than half City’s record transfer, but the Slovakians have won all four of their European home matches this term, so they won’t be willing to go down without a fight.[/p]
[p]Vladimir Weiss’ men scored 14 times across those fixtures, and they’ve also responded to the Celtic thrashing by winning three successive domestic matches while netting a total of 12 times. That’s about as far as good omens will take Slovan however, as they’ve lost each of their last five H2Hs against English opposition, although none were by more than a two-goal margin. [/p]
[p]If ever there was a good time to face Manchester City though, it may be now with Pep Guardiola’s side struggling for fluency in the absence of key midfielders Rodri and Kevin De Bruyne. Their sole victory in four outings came against second-tier Watford (D3), with that run including a frustrating 0-0 draw with Inter Milan on matchday one of the UCL in a repeat of the 2023 final.[/p]
[p]Even when they’re not in top form, City remain incredibly difficult to beat. The FA Cup final reverse is their only loss inside 90 minutes since December, so only the brave would back against an away victory here, not least because Guardiola’s men are unbeaten in a club record 11 UCL away matches (W5, D6), winning four of their last five.[/p]
[p]Players to watch: New Slovan striker David Strelec rediscovered his scoring touch by netting a brace at the weekend. Both those goals came after half-time, making it five of his last six strikes to come beyond the interval. The irrepressible Erling Haaland has treated the UCL as his personal playground – he’s the fastest player in competition history to reach 40 goals, doing so in just 35 appearances. The Norwegian has managed just one his last five in the UCL, however.[/p]
[p]Hot stat: Slovan’s last eight competitive matches have seen a total of 40 goals – an average of five per game![/p]
[p][i]Written by Ryan Fisher[/i][/p]