APOEL Nicosia and Slovan Bratislava clash in the second leg of their UEFA Champions League qualifier on Tuesday. Our APOEL Nicosia vs Slovan Bratislava prediction considers whether the Slovaks can seal the deal, after winning the first leg.
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APOEL Nicosia vs Slovan Bratislava prediction: Bore draw to see visitors through
Key stats
- Our APOEL Nicosia vs Slovan Bratislava betting tips take into account that all of the home team’s last five matches have produced under 2.5 goals.
- Slovan Bratislava are unbeaten in eight games, including friendlies.
- APOEL have failed to reach the group stage in Europe, in each of the last three seasons, despite losing only one of their eight home games during that period.
Correct score prediction: APOEL Nicosia 0-0 Slovan Bratislava
With high temperatures of 39°C expected in the Cypriot capital on Tuesday, these will be difficult conditions for both teams and it’s hard to see there being much of a tempo to this game. Slovan Bratislava may look to sit deep and kill off the tie, with their solid defence that has kept three straight clean sheets heading into this.
Pre-game odds and win probability: APOEL favourites with home advantage
- HOME: 21/20 (2.05) – 48.8%
- DRAW: 5/2 (3.50) – 28.6%
- AWAY: 5/2 (3.50) – 28.6%
*odds from Ladbrokes, subject to change
The hosts are the favourites according to the APOEL Nicosia vs Slovan Bratislava odds with an implied probability of 48.8% that they win the second leg, although the visitors remain in pole position to win the tie.
APOEL haven’t played since that 2-0 defeat in Slovakia last week when Robert Mak’s 93rd minute strike left them with an uphill battle on Tuesday. Slovan Bratislava also had the luxury of a weekend off to prepare for this.
For more picks, our latest football betting tips take a look at some of the best options from this week’s action.
Most recent H2Hs: A different outcome to 2011?
Our APOEL Nicosia vs Slovan Bratislava prediction suggests we may get the reverse of what happened in 2011 when it was the Cypriot side that triumphed 2-0 on aggregate in a Champions League third qualifying round tie. That was the only previous time the clubs have been paired together in Europe.
UEFA Champions League Qualifying 07/08/24
Slovan Bratislava
Apoel Nicosia
APOEL Nicosia preview: El-Arabi pushing for a start
Youssef El-Arabi, a new signing from Olympiacos, could compete for a start as APOEL chase goals. It’s still likely to be a similar eleven to the first leg though, despite the two-goal loss.
Predicted Lineup: Belec IGK), Susic, Dvali, Petrovic, Quintilla, Meyer, Kostadinov, Tejera Ndongala, El-Arabi & Marquinhos
Cyprus Division 1 01/09/24 L Ethnikos Achnas 3 Apoel Nicosia 1 UEFA Europa League Qualifying 29/08/24 L Rigas FS 1 Apoel Nicosia 2 UEFA Europa League Qualifying 22/08/24 L Rigas FS 2 Apoel Nicosia 1 UEFA Champions League Qualifying 13/08/24 D Slovan Bratislava 0 Apoel Nicosia 0 UEFA Champions League Qualifying 07/08/24 L Slovan Bratislava 2 Apoel Nicosia 0
Slovan Bratislava preview: Mak to come into side?
There are not expected to be any fresh injury issues for the away team, but experienced winger Robert Mak may return to the side.
Predicted Lineup: Takac (GK), Blackman, Kashia, Wimmer, Sharani, Kucka, Bajric, Tolic, Weiss, Strelec & Mak
Slovakia Cup 10/09/24 W AC Nitra - Futbal 0 Slovan Bratislava 5 Slovakia Super Liga 01/09/24 L MSK Zilina 5 Slovan Bratislava 0 UEFA Champions League Qualifying 28/08/24 W Midtjylland 2 Slovan Bratislava 3 Slovakia Super Liga 25/08/24 W Dukla Banska Bystrica 0 Slovan Bratislava 2 UEFA Champions League Qualifying 21/08/24 D Midtjylland 1 Slovan Bratislava 1
Player to watch – David Strelec
Perhaps the most important player for the away team on their impressive Champions League run to date has been David Strelec. The 23-year-old has registered three goals and four assists in five appearances in this year’s competition.
Strelec scoring late
The forward has a knack for scoring late. Four of his last eight goals in all competitions have come in the 70th minute or later.
