The first leg of the 2025/26 UEFA Champions League second qualifying round 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 play in the second qualifying round of the Champions League by winning the Slovakian championship last season. In the 21st century, Slovan Bratislava has participated in the UCL 10 times but only managed to advance past the qualification stage once. This occurred 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 on tiebreakers.
- More than three goals have been scored in the club's last five home matches in the Champions League.
- Slovan has conceded at least two goals in their last five home games in the UCL.
- 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 Krush – Vladimir Weiss, Peter Pokorny, David Strelec, Rahim Ibrahim – Tigran Barseghyan, Alasane Jirajang.
Zrinjski
In the first qualifying round of the Champions League, the club faced Virtus. The team won both matches with an aggregate score of 4-1. For Zrinjski, this is their sixth appearance in the second qualifying round of the UCL, and they have never advanced further. It is also worth noting that the Bosnian and Herzegovinian national championship is set to start this week.
The team's lineup 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 have not exchanged goals in 4 of the last 5 away matches for Zrinjski in this tournament.
- The team has lost 7 of their last 9 away games 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
Jérémy 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 convincing victory from a team that has not proven itself at the top level is quite risky. Especially considering that at home, the Slovakians have not won by a two-goal margin in 10 of their last 14 Champions League games. It is also worth noting that Slovan's national championship has not yet started, and in five preseason friendlies, except for a match against third-division team Raca, the club secured only one victory.
Zrinjski, on the other hand, shows stable results on the road. In their last six away games in the Champions League, the Bosnian team has only lost twice, and both times by the narrowest margin. Moreover, in European competitions away from home, the club has not lost by more than one goal in 15 of their last 17 matches. Additionally, in the first qualifying round, Zrinjski confidently overcame 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.
