The Matchday 1 fixture of the 2025/26 Conference League group stage between Slovan Bratislava (Slovakia) and Strasbourg (France) will take place on October 2 at the Tehelné Pole Stadium. Slovan Bratislava vs. Strasbourg: prediction and betting odds, statistics.
Slovan Bratislava
As in the previous year, the club began their European campaign in the Champions League qualifiers. However, this time Slovan only reached the third round, being knocked out by Kazakhstan's Kairat. Furthermore, the team failed to advance to the main stage of the Europa League, losing twice to Switzerland's Young Boys in the playoffs. Now, the Slovaks will compete in the Conference League for the fourth time in the last five seasons. The club's best result in this tournament was reaching the round of 16 in the 2022/23 season. Notably, Slovan has scored at least one goal in 13 of their last 14 Conference League matches.
- The club has failed to keep a clean sheet in six consecutive Conference League matches.
- Slovan has won with a handicap of (+1.5) in 13 of their last 14 games in this tournament.
- Both teams scored in five of Slovan's last six Conference League matches.
Projected lineup for Slovan Bratislava (4-4-2)
Dominik Takáč – Filip Lichy, Kenan Bajric, Alen Mustafic, Alasana Jirajang – Rahim Ibrahim, Kyriakos Savvidis, Kelvin Ofori, Vladimir Weiss – Marko Tolic, Nino Marcelli.
Strasbourg
The French team began their European journey in the Conference League playoffs. Both matches against Denmark's Brøndby were challenging, but Liam Rosenior's side emerged victorious. The teams were separated by just one goal over the two legs. Previously, Strasbourg had never participated in the Conference League, and this is their first appearance on the international stage since the 2019/20 season, when they failed to reach the main Europa League tournament, losing to Eintracht Frankfurt in the playoffs.
- Strasbourg has scored in six of their last eight European matches.
- At least one team failed to score in five of Strasbourg's last six international matches.
Projected lineup for Strasbourg (4-2-3-1)
Mike Penders – Gela Doué, Mamadou Sarr, Lucas Hojsberg, Ben Chilwell – Ismaël Doukouré, Valentín Barco – Kendry Páez, Félix Lemaréchal, Diego Moreira – Emanuel Emegha.
Forwards Emanuel Emegha and Joaquin Panichelli, as well as defenders Ben Chilwell and Mamadou Sarr, are unavailable due to injury.
Referee
Andrea Colombo (Italy)
Matches – 7 (International matches, 2024/25–2025/26);
Yellow cards shown (including second yellows) – 31;
Average yellow cards per match – 4.4;
Red cards shown – 1;
Average fouls per match – 25;
Penalties – 43%.
Match Prediction: Slovan Bratislava vs. Strasbourg
Unlike last season, Slovan will be playing in the Conference League this time. Of course, the club's chances of progressing to the playoffs in this tournament are much higher than in the Champions League, but an easy journey is not guaranteed. The Slovaks still face a high level of competition, and notably, the team has not won in five of their last six Conference League matches (1 draw, 4 losses). High-scoring games are also not to be expected, as no more than three goals have been scored in seven of Slovan's last eight matches in this tournament. Even in home games, the club has won only one of their last five Conference League matches, with no more than three goals scored in four of these five matches.
Strasbourg, on the other hand, has not lost in five of their last six European matches, with four of these six games ending in victory for the club. It's also important to note that Strasbourg's matches rarely feature a high number of goals. In four of Strasbourg's last six international matches, only one goal was scored between the two teams, and the four-goal mark was breached in just one of these six encounters.
Prediction – Double chance on Strasbourg and total under 3.5 goals
* The starting lineup for each team is based on their previous match.
