Pyunik Yerevan vs Slovan Bratislava prediction: EUROPE: Europa Conference League – Group Stage betting tips on match 2022-09-14 16:45.
This is already a historic season for 15-time Armenian champions Pyunik Yerevan having already recorded their longest European campaign, which turns ten games old in this encounter! As one of nine European group stage debutants in the Europa Conference League (UECL), the Armenians received an abrupt reality check with a 3-1 defeat against Basel in their opening group game, but did bounce back in domestic action on Monday.
It’s remarkable that Pyunik even made it to this stage after four two-legged qualification ties when considering they failed to score in each home leg during that run. A repeat of those blunt attacking performances may not be enough to secure a precious point here though, as Pyunik conceded nine times across their only two prior encounters with Slovan Bratislava!
The four-time consecutive Slovakian champions should arrive in Armenia full of confidence as they travel on the back of a six-game unbeaten run in competitive action (W4, D2). Unlike their hosts, Slovan have featured in four European group stages prior to this, though they have never gone further. A goalless draw in the group opener could provide a springboard for better things this time around, but with Slovan’s last three away games ending 1-0 either way, this could be tight.
Visiting coach VladimĂr Weiss has never faced Armenian opposition at club level, though he will surely be wary of Pyunik after losing twice to Armenia as manager of Slovakia, including a 3-1 defeat in Yerevan! A repeat seems unlikely, especially given that Slovan avoided defeat in three of their four European away games this term, including against notable opponents Olympiakos and Ferencváros.
Players to watch: Artak Dashyan ended Pyunik’s 392-minute wait for a goal in European action in the opening group game, while Slovan’s Tigran Barseghyan has played against Pyunik more often than any other side during his career, though he's managed only three wins in 17 attempts (W3, D3, L11)!
Hot stat: Five of Slovan’s last seven competitive matches were goalless at half-time.