After winning the first leg of their Champions League qualifying tie 4-0 last Tuesday against Zrinjski Mostar, visitors Slovan Bratislava can be forgiven for feeling confident ahead of the second leg at Stadion Bijeli Brijeg this Tuesday.
The hosts will be looking to be just the second side in Champions League history to overturn a deficit of at least four goals, though European football can often be unpredictable, and an early goal for Zrinjski could give them a glimmer of hope.
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Zrinjski vs Slovan Bratislava: History in the making?
Key stats
- Barcelona are the only team to have overcome a deficit of at least four goals in the Champions League, winning 6-1 in their second-leg clash against Paris Saint-Germain after losing 4-0 in the first leg in 2016-17.
- Bratislava only lost by a four-goal margin twice last season, losing 4-0 against Manchester City and 5-1 against Celtic.
- Zrinjski have scored just four goals in three games this term, and they have been beaten in three of their past four encounters against the visitors, failing to win in that time while conceding 10.
Correct score prediction: Zrinjski 0-2 Slovan
Bratislava could sit back and look to hit Zrinjski on the counter, and they will almost certainly create openings during transition attacks.
Pre-game odds and win probability: Bookmakers predict a close match
- HOME: 8/5 (2.6) – 38.5%
- DRAW: 12/5 (3.4) – 29.4%
- AWAY: 8/5 (2.6) – 38.5%
*odds from Ladbrokes, subject to change
Zrinjski and Bratislava cannot be separated in this clash, with each side given a win probability of 38.5%.
You can find all our predictions for today's games on our football betting tips page.
Most recent H2Hs: Slovan continue their dominance
Slovan have won three and drawn one of their four most recent encounters with Zrinjski, scoring 10 while conceding three in those outings.
UEFA Champions League Qualifying 22/07/25
Slovan Bratislava
Zrinjski Mostar
UEFA Champions League Qualifying 01/08/23
Slovan Bratislava
Zrinjski Mostar
UEFA Champions League Qualifying 25/07/23
Zrinjski Mostar
Slovan Bratislava
UEFA Conference League Qualifying 25/08/22
Slovan Bratislava
Zrinjski Mostar
UEFA Conference League Qualifying 18/08/22
Zrinjski Mostar
Slovan Bratislava
Zrinjski preview: Barzabayev continues suspension
Zrinjski have yet to begin their domestic season, but they did beat Virtus 4-1 in the first round of Champions League qualifying, with striker Nemanja Bilbija finding his way onto the scoresheet in the second leg.
The forward can be expected to play ahead of attacking midfielder Jakov Pranjic.
Predicted lineup: Karacic (GK), Memija, Barisic, Masic, Mamic, Savic, Ivancic, Abramovic, Pranjic, Burey & Bilbija
Europe Friendlies 31/01/25
D
Sutjeska Niksic
1
Zrinjski Mostar
1
Europe Friendlies 25/01/25
W
OFK Vrsac
0
Zrinjski Mostar
1
Europe Friendlies 18/01/25
W
NK Croatia Zmijavci
0
Zrinjski Mostar
1
Bosnia & Herzegovina Premier Liga 15/12/24
L
Radnik Bijeljina
2
Zrinjski Mostar
0
Bosnia & Herzegovina Premier Liga 08/12/24
W
Borac Banja Luka
0
Zrinjski Mostar
1
Slovan preview: Strong goalscoring form
Bratislava began their Slovakian title defence with a 2-2 draw with Presov on July 26, and they have scored six times in their opening two matches of 2025-26.
Though the visitors could name a rotated XI, they will want to make absolutely certain of their progression, so expect a similar starting lineup to the first leg.
Predicted lineup: Takac (GK), Blackman, Bajric, Kashia, Zuberu, Pokorny, Ibrahim, Barseghyan, Tolic, Weiss, Strele
UEFA Champions League 29/01/25
L
Bayern Munich
3
Slovan Bratislava
1
UEFA Champions League 21/01/25
L
VfB Stuttgart
3
Slovan Bratislava
1
Club Friendly List 16/01/25
W
Al Gharafa
1
Slovan Bratislava
2
Club Friendly List 14/01/25
W
Al-Shahaniya SC
1
Slovan Bratislava
3
Slovakia Super Liga 14/12/24
W
Dunajska Streda
1
Slovan Bratislava
2
Player to watch: David Strelec
Slovan striker David Strelec was left out of the team that faced Presov, but he should be fit for Tuesday's game, and he will be keen to start having scored in the first leg.
Strelec has found the back of the net six times in his past four competitive games for Slovan, and he will be expected to lead the line in the Champions League.