The first leg of the second qualifying round of the 2025/26 Champions League between Slovan Bratislava (Slovakia) and Zrinjski (Bosnia and Herzegovina) will take place on July 22 at the Tehelné Pole Stadium. Slovan Bratislava vs. Zrinjski: prediction and betting odds, statistics.
Slovan Bratislava
The team earned the right to participate in the second qualifying round of the Champions League by winning last season's Slovak championship. In the 21st century, Slovan Bratislava has participated in the Champions League 10 times but has only once made it past the qualifying stage. This happened last season when the club started from the first qualifying round but lost all eight matches in the main stage of Europe's top tournament, avoiding last place only due to additional criteria.
- More than three goals were scored in the club's last five home matches in the Champions League.
- Slovan conceded at least two goals in their last five home games in the Champions League.
- In 9 of the last 12 home games in this tournament, both teams scored.
Predicted lineup for Slovan Bratislava (4-4-2)
Dominik Takac – Kenan Bajric, Guram Kashia, Alen Mustafic, Sandro Cruz – Vladimir Weiss, Peter Pokorny, David Strelec, Rahim Ibrahim – Tigran Barseghyan, Alasana Jirajang.
Zrinjski
In the first qualifying round of the Champions League, the club faced Virtus. The team won both matches with a total score of 4-1. For Zrinjski, this is their sixth appearance in the second qualifying round of the Champions League, and they have never progressed further. It's also worth noting that the national championship of Bosnia and Herzegovina begins this week.
The team's squad has not significantly changed this offseason.
- The club has not lost by more than one goal in their last six away games in the Champions League.
- Opponents did not exchange goals in 4 of Zrinjski's last 5 away matches in this tournament.
- The team lost 7 of their last 9 away matches on the international stage.
Predicted lineup for Zrinjski (4-4-2)
Goran Karacic – Ilija Masic, Kerim Memija, Petar Mamic, Hrvoje Barisic – Antonio Ivancic, Igor Savic, Karlo Abramovic, Jakov Pranjic – Nemanja Bilbija, Tyler Bury.
Referee
Jérémie Pignard (France)
Matches – 6 (International matches, 2024/25);
Yellow cards shown (including second yellows) – 27;
Average yellow cards per match – 4.5;
Red cards shown – 1;
Average fouls per match – 21;
Penalties – 33%.
Match Prediction: Slovan Bratislava vs. Zrinjski
Last season, Slovan reached the group stage of the Champions League but lost all eight matches. Expecting a confident victory from a team that has not proven itself at the highest level is quite risky. Especially considering that at home, the Slovaks have not won by a two-goal margin in 10 of their last 14 Champions League games. It's also worth noting that the national championship for Slovan has not yet started, and in five preseason friendlies, except for a match against the third-division team Raca, the club secured only one victory.
Zrinjski, on the other hand, shows stable results on the road. In the last six away matches in the Champions League, the Bosnian team lost only twice, and both times by the minimum score. Moreover, in European competitions on foreign fields, the club has not lost by more than one goal in 15 of the last 17 matches. Additionally, in the first qualifying round, Zrinjski confidently defeated Virtus, winning both games, which indicates good player readiness.
Considering all this, my prediction: Zrinjski to win with a handicap (+1)
* The starting lineup for each team is based on their last match.
