The Matchday 1 clash of the 2025/26 UEFA Conference League group stage between Slovan Bratislava (Slovakia) and Strasbourg (France) will take place on October 2 at the Tehelné Pole Stadium. Slovan Bratislava vs. Strasbourg: prediction and betting odds, statistics.
Slovan Bratislava
Just like last year, the club began their European campaign in the Champions League qualifiers. However, this time Slovan only reached the third round, being eliminated by Kazakhstan's Kairat. Moreover, the team failed to qualify for the main stage of the Europa League, losing both playoff matches against Switzerland's Young Boys. Now, the Slovaks will compete in the Conference League for the fourth time in the last five seasons. The club's best result in this tournament was reaching the Round of 16 in the 2022/23 season. Notably, Slovan has scored at least one goal in 13 of their last 14 Conference League matches.
- The club has failed to keep a clean sheet in their last six Conference League matches.
- Slovan has won with a +1.5 handicap in 13 of their last 14 games in this tournament.
- Both teams have scored in 5 of Slovan's last 6 Conference League matches.
Predicted lineup for Slovan Bratislava (4-4-2)
Dominik Takac – Filip Lichy, Kenan Bajric, Alen Mustafic, Alasana Jirajang – Rahim Ibrahim, Kyriakos Savvidis, Kelvin Ofori, Vladimir Weiss – Marko Tolic, Nino Marcelli.
Strasbourg
The French side started their European journey in the Conference League playoffs. Both matches against Denmark's Brøndby were challenging, but Liam Rosenior's team came out on top. Only one goal separated the teams over two legs. Previously, Strasbourg had never competed in the Conference League, and this is their first appearance on the international stage since the 2019/20 season, when they failed to reach the main stage of the Europa League, losing to Eintracht Frankfurt in the playoffs.
- Strasbourg has scored in 6 of their last 8 European matches.
- At least one team failed to score in 5 of Strasbourg's last 6 international matches.
Predicted lineup for Strasbourg (4-2-3-1)
Mike Penders – Gela Doué, Mamadou Sarr, Lucas Hoisberg, Ben Chilwell – Ismael Doukouré, Valentin Barco – Kendry Páez, Félix Lemarechal, Diego Moreira – Emanuel Emega.
The main striker Emanuel Emega is sidelined due to injury.
Referee
Andrea Colombo (Italy)
Matches – 7 (International matches, 2024/25–2025/26);
Yellow cards shown (including second yellows) – 31;
Average yellow cards per match – 4.4;
Red cards shown – 1;
Average fouls per match – 25;
Penalties – 43%.
Match Prediction: Slovan Bratislava vs. Strasbourg
Unlike the previous European season, Slovan will now compete in the Conference League. The club's chances of reaching the playoffs in this tournament are certainly higher than in the Champions League, but an easy path is not guaranteed. The Slovaks still face a high level of competition, and it's notable that the team has not won in 5 of their last 6 Conference League matches (1 draw, 4 losses). Expecting a high-scoring game might be unrealistic, as no more than 3 goals were scored in 7 of Slovan's last 8 matches in this tournament. Even in home games, the club has won only 1 of their last 5 Conference League matches, with no more than 3 goals scored in 4 of those 5 games.
Strasbourg, on the other hand, has not lost in 5 of their last 6 European matches, with 4 of those 6 games ending in victory for the club. It's also significant to note that Strasbourg's matches rarely feature many goals. In 4 of Strasbourg's last 6 international matches, only 1 goal was scored between both teams, and the 4-goal mark was only surpassed in 1 of those 6 games.
Prediction – Double chance (2X) and total under 3.5 goals
