Slovan Bratislava vs FC Midtjylland
UEFA Champions League, KO: 20:00 Aug 28, 2024, National Football Stadium
Slovan Bratislava and FC Midtjylland reconvene for the second leg of their Champions League playoff tie at the National football stadium on Wednesday night.
This tie is delicately poised after the pair played out a 1-1 draw in Denmark last Wednesday night.
Vladimir Weiss's side have already seen off Struga, Celje and APOEL to reach this stage, and are now just one win away from progressing to the lucrative new league phase format of the Champions League.
The Slovak giants warmed up this clash with a 2-0 win over Banska Bystrica on Sunday, a result that maintained their 100% start to the domestic season.
FC Midtjylland, meanwhile, are aiming to reach the Champions League proper for the second time in their history, having previously participated in the group stage back in season 2020-21.
Thomas Thomasberg's team staged a second-half comeback to claim a thrilling 3-2 win over Sonderjyske in the Danish Superliga on Sunday.
How the bookies view it: Midtjylland to make their mark
Despite failing to beat Slovcan Brarslaivia at home last midweek, FC Midtjylland head into this week’s return match as 7/5 favourites on Bet 365.
A repeat of last Wednesday night’s draw has been priced up at 12/5 on Bet 365 while the home win is trading at 19/10 with the same firm.
Head to head: Just the second ever meeting
Last week’s clash in Denmark was the first time the two teams have ever crossed paths on the continental circuit. Another 1-1 draw between the duo this week can be backed at 6/1 on Betfred.
Players to watch: Buksa to make the net bulge?
Since joining the club from Lens for a relatively big fee over the summer, striker Adam Buksa already has two goals in two appearances in the Danish Superliga this season. The Polish forward heads the anytime goalscorer market here at 15/8 on Bet 365.
Robert Mak has netted three times across his seven Champions League appearances for Slovan this season. The Slovak forward is 3/1 on Bet 365 for an anytime strike on Wednesday night.
Predicted line-ups
As was the case last week, both Adler and Lukas Pauschek look set to miss out for Slovan Bratislava in this week’s second leg.
FC Midtjylland remain without long term absentee Kristoffer Olsson, while Paulinho, Cho Gue-sung and Marrony all look set to miss out again this midweek.
Slovan Bratislava: Takac; Blackman, Kashia, Wimmer, Sharani; Kucka, Bajric, Tolic; Weiss, Strelec, Mak
FC Midtjylland: Olafsson; Andersson, Diao, Bech Sorensen, Juninho; Osorio, Martinez, Castillo, O. Sorensen; Dju, Buksa
Anything else catch the eye?
Given what’s at stake for both side’s here, there is plenty of scope for another cagey affair between the pair on Wednesday night.
With that in mind, under 2.5 goals could be the way to go here at 4/5 on Bet 365.
This bet would have paid in last week’s first leg clash in Denmark, not to mention the same bet would have proven profitable in three of the hosts’ previous four Champions League qualifiers.
This UEFA Champions League match between Slovan Bratislava and FC Midtjylland will be played on Aug 28, 2024 and kick off at 20:00. Check below for our tipsters best Slovan Bratislava vs FC Midtjylland prediction. You may also visit our dedicated betting previews section for the most up to date previews.
