Prediction for Slovan Bratislava vs Iberia 1999
The Slovak champions have burst into the new season. Yaya Toure’s team earned an away win over Iberia (2:0), scoring twice before half-time despite having just 33% possession, and then in the league, with a half-rotated line-up, they demolished MFK Dukla Banska Bystrica 4:0. Slovan are strong at home in European competition, where last season they beat BK Hacken 1:0 and Rayo Vallecano 2:1. In attack the threat comes from the whole squad — six goals in two official games this season have been scored by five different players.
The Georgian club are firmly among the leaders in their domestic championship, but in European competitions their defence has failed. In the first qualifying round the Eagles conceded four goals against Estonian side FC Flora Tallinn (3:2, 2:2), and then suffered a 0:2 shut-out against Slovan. Even in the Georgian Cup the team contrived to concede against modest Magrveti 2006 (3:1). Away from home in European competitions Iberia are helpless: previously they were outplayed without a chance by FCI Levadia Tallinn (0:1), Malmo FF (1:3) and Istanbul Basaksehir (0:2).
The first meeting highlighted the gap in quality and in converting chances. At home Slovan will score an early goal and seize full control, forcing the visitors to take risks and make mistakes in the opposition half. Iberia 1999 will try to impose attacking football, but the defensive lapses will only increase the final margin on the scoreboard.