Slovan Bratislava Vs Olympiacos
Slovan Bratislava Vs Olympiacos Thursday, 10 August 2022 – 19:30 (BST)
UEFA Europa League Qualification
Pick: Draw
Odds: 23/10
Bookmaker: Bet365
(All betting odds correct at time of writing: 8 August 2022)
Preview: After an uneventful first-half in Greece, this tie came alive as both teams traded goals to leave things tantalisingly poised at 1-1 ahead of the return leg. Tehelne pole, where Slovan Bratislava play all their home games, hasn’t exactly been a fortress of late, though, providing hope for Olympiacos that they can still progress unscathed.
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Table of Contents
Slovan Bratislava – No place like away from home?
Champions of Slovakia’s Fortuna Liga last term, going the entire campaign unbeaten at home as they claimed a fourth consecutive league title. Slovan Bratislava will feel they are in a strong position to progress following their 1-1 draw in Greece. However, they were in a similarly encouraging position last time out in Europe only to wilt in the home leg, thumped 4-1 on home soil having beaten Ferencvaros 2-1 in Hungary.
That collapse will still be fresh in the minds and brought their record when playing at home in UEFA competition to one win in the last eight (W1 D5 L2). They were even held to a goalless draw by Georgian outfit Dinamo Batumi in their first European outing of the season, while that sole win was against minnows Lincoln Red Imps of Gibraltar. So I am not sure I would be rushing to back Thursday’s hosts.
Key Stat: Since the start of the 2019-20 season, Slovan Bratislava has featured ten times at home in a European qualifier. They would not win any of the last five (D4 L1) while seven saw no more than two goals in the match.
Olympiacos – Corberan must avoid another Greek tragedy?
It has been a busy summer for the reigning and record Greek champions. After a pre-season campaign that yielded two wins from eight games, they are yet to a competitive fixture in three attempts this season. Carlos Corberan, who very nearly guided Huddersfield Town back into the English Premier League in 2021-22, is D2 L1 as Olympiacos head coach thus far and is already under pressure.
The reason for that is an embarrassing second round exit from the Champions League. Dumped out by Maccabi Haifa who progressed 5-1 on aggregate after an astonishing 4-0 victory in Piraeus. Corberan needs a performance, and a winning result, to get fans back onside. However, he could be left exasperated should Olympiacos – with one win from seven previous European away games (D3 L3) – falter on the road again.
Key Stat: The Greek side haven’t won any of four previous qualifying matches away from home in UEFA competitions (D3 L1). Among these games was a 2-2 draw against Thursday’s opponents in August of last year.
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Slovan Bratislava Vs Olympiacos Betting Advice
Immediately I am enticed about the price of a draw. The teams couldn’t be separated in Greece. Although the hosts that night, Olympiacos, probably felt they should have come away with a lead despite only rescuing a draw four minutes from time. However, after winning the first three encounters between the pair, Olympiacos have now been held the last twice – also drawing 2-2 in Slovakia twelve months ago.
Slovan Bratislava Vs Olympiacos – Key Facts:
- The sides have met five times previously. Olympiacos prevailing in all of the first three, including here in Slovakia (2-0 win in July 2009), but none of the last two (both score draws).
- Slovan Bratislava are a more dangerous outfit on their travels. Winning three of their past four away matches in Europe but just one of the last eight as hosts (D5 L2).
- This can be countered by a poor travelling record for Olympiacos, who have won only once across their seven previous away matches in European football (D3 L3).
Aside from these two establishing a habit for drawing against each other, both are draw specialist in their own right. Three of Olympiacos’ last four away European qualifying matches failed to produce a winner in 90 minutes. Meanwhile, Slovan Bratislava haven’t been victorious at home in Europe in qualifying since beating Shamrock Rovers at the start of last season, drawing four of five subsequent matches.
Best Betting Odds – Slovan Bratislava Vs Olympiacos
Slovan Bratislava – 14/5 (Betfair)
Draw – 23/10 (Bet365)
Olympiacos – 11/10 (WilliamHill)
