Will the Slovakian routine prevail?
15 knockout duels are on the agenda in the first round of qualifying for the UEFA Champions League. Only the champions of the respective associations are represented in this stage. The path to one of the six remaining tickets for the group stage is challenging, after all, four qualifying rounds have to be survived. An exciting second leg will be played in Georgia on Wednesday evening, with Dinamo Batumi and Slovan Bratislava facing off.
Fans waited in vain for a goal in the first leg last week in Slovakia, which was a very satisfying result for the Georgians in particular. With the home advantage behind them, they should now be able to pull off the big surprise. For the bookmakers, Dinamo Batumi is even a slight favourite against Slovan Bratislava according to current betting odds. While the hosts are in match rhythm and have a lot of self-confidence, things have not gone according to plan for the Slovaks so far in their preparation for the
The winner of this knockout duel will meet the winner of the duel between Tobol Kastanyi (Kazakhstan) and Ferencvaros Budapest already next week in the second qualifying round. But the loser will still be represented internationally and will meet the loser of the duel between Qarabag Agdam (Azerbaijan) and Lech Poznan in the Conference League qualifiers.
However, the far greater international experience definitely speaks in favour of the guests. Accordingly, an explosive and exciting return match is on the agenda in the Batumi Arena. The match kicks off on Wednesday at 7 p.m.
Dinamo Batumi – Statistics & current form
Batumi is a port city on the Black Sea and the second largest city in Georgia. The successes of the football club based there have been quite manageable. After losing the cup final four times in the 1990s, the club finally achieved its first triumph in 1998. After that, things went quiet again for the founding member of the Georgian league, before the team under head coach Gia Geguchadze was able to celebrate the championship for the first time last season.
Batumi in impressive form
Georgia has a calendar year championship and accordingly the current season is already advanced. Dinamo Batumi have completed 20 of the 36 match days this year and the championship champagne can already be chilled. With 14 wins, five draws and only one defeat, the team is the absolute measure of all things. Their dominance is not only evident in their nine-point lead, but also in the fact that the defending champions have the best offensive and defensive record. On average, they score almost three goals per game.
On the national stage, Dinamo Batumi are now the measure of all things and can enter the first Champions League home game in the club’s history with a broad chest. In the club’s history so far, Batumi have only played in the UEFA Cup/Europa League or last year’s Conference League. In 24 international matches, Batumi have a record of nine wins, four draws and eleven defeats.
Last week, the bus was virtually parked, especially after the sending-off. In front of the home crowd, Batumi will certainly be more involved in the game. Despite their good form and strong home record, betting on the home side between Dinamo Batumi and Slovan Bratislava does not look lucrative.
Predicted Dinamo Batumi line-up:
Kupatadze – Azarovi, Azatskyi, Rekviashvili, Khabradze – Teidi, Altumashvili – Davitashvili, Bidzinashvili, Mamuchashvili – Flamarion
Last matches played by Dinamo Batumi:
Champions League Qualifier
07/07/2022 – Slovan Bratislava 0 – 0 Dinamo Batumi
Erovnuli Liga
29/06/2022 – Dinamo Batumi 4 – 1 Din. Tbilisi
25/06/2022 – Dinamo Batumi 3 – 0 Sioni Bolnissi
21/06/2022 – Dinamo Batumi 4 – 0 Torpedo Kutaisi
16/06/2022 – FC Gagra 0 – 3 Dinamo Batumi
Slovan Bratislava – Statistics & current form
Unlike the Georgian champions, Slovan Bratislava have far more experience to show. Eight championships in Czechoslovakia and 16 title wins in Slovakia are on the books. In the last four years, the capital’s team has been the measure of all things, winning the championship in a most commanding manner. The feeling of defeat is extremely rare, as the club has suffered just four defeats in those four seasons
Weak preparation causes concern
The traditional club is not challenged on the national stage, but the level of performance is completely different on the international stage. Last season, Slovan Bratislava were beaten by Young Boys in the Champions League and Olympiakos Piraeus in the Europa League before being knocked out in the Conference League group stage.
However, the international experience definitely speaks for the guests, because not only the club has a lot to show in this respect, but also some of the players in Vladimir Weiss’ line-up. His son – also captain – is a Slovakian national player. In addition, veteran Juraj Kucka (with AC Milan, among others) was signed this summer. In terms of quality, the Slovak squad is certainly a good deal better.
Nevertheless, odds of around 3.00 are offered for betting on the visitors between Dinamo Batumi and Slovan Bratislava. This is also due to the disappointing results in the preparation. The first test match against SV Ried was won, followed by four matches without success – by no means against renowned opponents. The hosts certainly have an advantage in terms of form
Predicted line-up of Slovan Bratislava:
Chovan – de Marco, Abena, Kashia, Medvedev – Kucka, Kankava – Zmrhal, Weiss, Barseghyan – Ramirez
Last matches played by Slovan Bratislava:
Champions League Qualifier
07/07/2022 – Slovan Bratislava 0 – 0 Dinamo Batumi
Friendly club matches
18/06/2022 – Ried 0 – 3 Slovan Bratislava
Super League Championship Group
21/05/2022 – Slovan Bratislava 2 – 2 Zilina
14/05/2022 – SKF Sered 0 – 3 Slovan Bratislava
FA Cup
08/05/2022 – Slovan Bratislava 1 – 2 Spartak Trnava
Dinamo Batumi – Slovan Bratislava Direct comparison / H2H record
The goalless first leg last week was the first showdown between the two sides. It was a disappointing result for the home side as the Georgian champions were forced to play shorthanded from minute 42 onwards, but Slovan Bratislava were unable to convert their clear superiority into goals. For the Georgian champions Dinamo Batumi it was their first ever meeting with a team from Slovakia, Slovan Bratislava having won 2-0 twice against Dinamo Tbilisi in the UEFA Cup qualifiers more than 20 years ago – in the 2000/01 season.
Dinamo Batumi – Slovan Bratislava Tip
The Georgians were outnumbered for almost 50 minutes last week and still managed to earn a goalless draw against their much higher-ranked opponents. As a result, the lowest odds are offered on a home win in the second leg between Dinamo Batumi and Slovan Bratislava. An assessment that cannot necessarily be shared. Despite Slovan’s weak results in preparation, the Slovakian champions are clearly stronger in terms of quality.
After five games in a row without a win (four friendlies and the first leg), there is of course a certain risk in betting on a direct away win. However, the 3s betting odds are definitely interesting. Less risky in the duel between Dinamo Butami and Slovan Bratislava is the prediction on the bet “DNB 2”. The home win does not seem realistic and in the event of a win for the visitors, double the stake awaits. Six units are recommended as the stake for this bet.
