Slovacko vs Partizan prediction: EUROPE: Europa Conference League – Group Stage betting tips on match 2022-09-07 16:45.
It's a moment to cherish for Czech Cup winners Slovácko, who will make their European group stage debut as one of the nine teams doing so in the UEFA Europa Conference League (UECL) this season. Martin Svědík's side won the play-off 4-0 on aggregate to secure their spot and will be keen to show they aren't here just to make up the numbers.
That may require the Czechs to step up their game after a three-match winless run in all competitions (D1, L2), last faring worse back in June 2020. The hosts may also have to go beyond their liking for a single goal as four of Slovácko's last five competitive home games saw them score just once, which was also the case in their only previous home game against a Serbian opponent (W 1-0 in 2003).
Continental regulars Partizan are one of the seven teams from last season's UECL group stage to make a reappearance, and they will be out to play spoilsport having won their last two European games against a Czech club. Both of those came last season in this competition and extending that run will be vital to boost their knock-out hopes, having qualified just twice before in 13 group stage UEFA appearances.
One of those was in the UECL last season, when they navigated out of the group stage with an even record (W2, D2, L2). Only six goals were scored during that run which may not be the case this time around if Partizan continue their recent five-game scoring streak (averaging 2.8 goals per game) under new head coach Gordan Petrić.
Players to watch: New Slovácko signing Vlasiy Sinyavskiy has scored twice in the UECL this season, after coming off the bench beyond the 70th minute on both occasions. Meanwhile, Ricardo Gomes could be Partizan's best bet having netted five goals in his last three European appearances, and a hat-trick in his last game.
Hot stat: Partizan have kept a first-half clean sheet in seven of their last 12 UECL matches.