Slavia Prague vs FC Ballkani prediction: EUROPE: Europa Conference League – Group Stage betting tips on match 2022-09-14 16:45.
Last season’s UEFA Europa Conference League (UECL) quarter-finalists Slavia Prague return to action after a disappointing opener to Group G, in which they had to settle for a 1-1 draw at Sivasspor after a 93rd minute missed penalty. Slavia bounced back with a vengeance though, destroying České Budějovice 6-1 to remain top of the Fortuna Liga, and maintain their impressive record of scoring in all but one of their last 28 matches.
The Red and Whites won all three of their home qualifying ties without conceding to reach the group stage and have a special incentive this season to do well in this competition, as the Fortuna Arena will host the final next June. That form could prove vital if Slavia are to maintain their standard of having made the quarter-finals in three of their last four European campaigns, and a win here over Ballkani, in their first match against Kosovan opposition, would be a big push in the right direction.
Ballkani’s debut season in a UEFA competition saw them become the first team from Kosovo to compete in the group stages of a major European tournament, ultimately having their hearts broken when conceding a 91st minute equaliser against CFR Cluj in their opener. They then suffered a 2-0 loss domestically to Drita, which brought an end to a run of eight games that were decided by a goal or less.
That was only their second loss all season within 90 minutes (W8, D3), with the first coming in the second-leg of their UEFA Champions League first-round qualifier, where they were ultimately eliminated. The Gabriels, as they are known, found their stride in UECL qualifying though, winning five of their six matches within 90 minutes (L1), and only saw two scoreless halves across those fixtures.
Players to watch: Slavia’s Stanislav Tecl will push for a start having scored seven of his last eight goals at home, while Ballkani’s Albion Rrahmani will look to threaten early, given he’s scored four of his last six goals before half-time.
Hot stat: Slavia have lost just two of their last 18 home fixtures in European competition (W11, D5).