Basel vs Slovan Bratislava Prediction & Tips
Coach Alex Frei joked that Basel are “playing a bit worse than at the start of the season”, but he should only be concerned about the fact that they have kept a clean sheet in just one of their previous seven matches, given that his side have won eight of their last nine games (P1). Certainly, there are no problems at the other end of the pitch, as the Swiss side have scored 27 goals in that period, scoring at least three goals in six of those matches.
One of those occasions came in their UEFA Europa Conference League (UECL) group stage opener, when they beat Pyunik 3-1. That was followed by a 1-0 win at Zalgirls, meaning Basel top Group H and have won their first two group games in European competition for the first time since the 2015/16 campaign.
Looking to test the Swiss side’s unbeaten record come Group H’s bottom side Slovan Bratislava, who have just one point from two games. However, the Slovakian champions are on a high at domestic level, sitting top of the standings with 26 points after 11 rounds, picking up eight wins and two draws since losing on the opening day of the season.
Still, coach Vladimír Weiss is far from satisfied and says “some players feel comfortable here” after a 3-1 win over Podbrezová last weekend. He will hope to inspire his side to end a run of three straight away defeats in the UECL, all of them without scoring, and Slovan Bratislava will be looking to record a first win over Swiss opposition since 1989 (E3, P8).
Players to watch: Andi Zeqiri has led victories in each of his four goal-scoring appearances for Basel, including two in the UECL, while Slovan’s David Hrncar has scored five goals this season but has yet to open his account in eight European appearances.
Weekend stat: Basel’s last three home games have averaged five goals per game and each has registered more than 1.5 goals in the first half.
Basel – Slovan Bratislava FREE TIPS
Basel – Win @ 1.55
