Slovacko vs FC Koln prediction: EUROPE: Europa Conference League – Group Stage betting tips on match 2022-10-26 16:45.
Realistically neither Slovácko nor Cologne can afford to lose this UEFA Europa Conference League (UECL) Group D clash, although the pressure is that bit more intense on the hosts. While both sides have an identical record so far (W1, D1, L2) and sit just one point behind second-place Nice, Slovácko’s defeat in the reverse on matchday two means another here would end their hopes of progressing to the knockout phase.
That would compound what’s already been a pretty miserable campaign for Slovácko who find themselves loitering in midtable of the Czech First League after 13 rounds (W4, D4, L5). They have at least won their last two home matches which ended a winless run in front of their own fans of six games (D2, L4), and they have also lost just three of their last 12 home games (W7, D2) in European competitions.
All three of those defeats came in the only three games across the streak in which they failed to score, so manager Martin SvÄ›dĂk will know the importance of finding the back of the net if his team are to grow in confidence.
Cologne could be seen as the ideal opponent with that in mind given they’ve failed to score in three of their last four European group stage away games, a run which has contributed to no win in their last five such fixtures (D1, L4). That adds to what is likely to already be a low mood in the visiting camp as they arrive in the Czech Republic having lost four of their last five matches (W1), with the most recent being a 5-0 hiding at Mainz.
Slow starts have plagued the Billy Goats’ campaign so far and Friday’s defeat was the ninth time they have conceded first in the Bundesliga, which is a league-high. They’ve also conceded first in each of their last two matches in this competition (L2).
Players to watch: Slovácko defender Michal Kadlec used to play for Cologne’s rivals Bayer Leverkusen and boasts a solid record of just one defeat in his six personal H2Hs (W4, D1). He’ll be aiming to stop Cologne’s Steffen Tigges, whose double last week took his tally to four competitive goals this season, three of which came after half-time.
Hot stat: Three of Slovácko’s last four UECL matches produced a goal inside 15 minutes.