Preview: Slovan Bratislava vs. Ferencvaros - prediction, team news, lineups

Bratislava recorded a 2-1 victory in the first leg last week, with Guram Kashia and Tigran Barseghyan on the scoresheet for the Slovakian side after Kristoffer Zachariassen had registered in the 70th minute.

Match preview

Bratislava have placed themselves in a strong position to advance to the third qualifying round due to their late show in Budapest on July 20.

Zachariassen's opener in the 70th minute handed the advantage to Ferencvaros, but Kashia levelled the scores in the 81st minute before Barseghyan scored a second five minutes later, so the Slovakian outfit will have a 2-1 lead to protect against their Hungarian opponents.

Bratislava needed extra-time to overcome Dinamo Batumi in the first qualifying round, ultimately running out 2-1 winners in the second leg, with Vladimir Weiss registering the tie's decisive goal in the third minute of added time at the end of extra-time.

Vladimir Weiss's side are already two games into their domestic season, suffering a 2-1 defeat at Podbrezova in their opener on July 16, but they will enter this match off the back of a 4-0 victory over Tencin on Saturday, which has left them in fifth spot in the table on three points.

The Sky Blues, who are the reigning Slovakian champions, played in the group stage of the Europa Conference League last season, finishing third in Group F, having been knocked out in the second qualifying round of the Champions League by Young Boys and playoff round of the Europa League by Olympiacos.

Ferencvaros impressed in the first qualifying round of this season's Champions League, breezing past Tobol 5-1 on aggregate, but they are up against it when it comes to progressing any further.

The Green Eagles are 33-time Hungarian champions, finishing 11 points clear at the top of the division last season, and they will begin their 2022-23 domestic campaign at home to Puskas on July 31.

The fact that they have not been in action since the first leg could play a key role on Wednesday, particularly if this match were to enter extra-time, and the visitors will still be confident when it comes to advancing to the next round despite suffering a disappointing defeat at home.

Ferencvaros were eliminated in the playoff round for last season's Champions League, losing 6-4 on aggregate to Young Boys, but they did play in the Europa League last term, finishing fourth in their section.

Meanwhile, Stanislav Cherchesov's side played in the group stage of the 2020-21 Champions League, finishing bottom of a section which saw them take on Juventus, Barcelona and Dynamo Kiev.

Slovan Bratislava Champions League form:

Slovan Bratislava form (all competitions):

Ferencvaros Champions League form:

Ferencvaros form (all competitions):

Team News

Bratislava boss Weiss shuffled his pack for the league fixture with Trencin on Saturday, and David Hrncar has put himself in the argument for a start following his brace in the four-goal success.

However, with no fresh injury concerns, it would not be a surprise to see Weiss stick with the same XI that took to the field for the first leg of the clash with Ferencvaros.

As a result, there will be returns for the likes of Barseghyan, Juraj Kucka and Jaba Kankava, while Ivan Saponjic is expected to be given the nod at the tip of the attack.

Ferencvaros, as mentioned, have not been in action since the first leg, and there have not been any indications of fresh fitness problems for the visitors ahead of the match.

Head coach Cherchesov could hold his nerve and select the same XI that took to the field for the first whistle last time out, although Fortune Bassey is pushing for a start in attack.

Adama Traore and Tokmac Nguen are certain starters for Ferencvaros in the wide positions, while Zachariassen, who made the breakthrough in the first leg, should play as the number 10.

Slovan Bratislava possible starting lineup:

Chovan; Medvedev, Kashia, Abena, De Marco; Barseghyan, Kucka, Kankava, Pauschek; Weiss; Saponjic

Ferencvaros possible starting lineup:

Dibusz; Wingo, Mmaee, Kovacevic, Civic; Laidouni, Esiti; Nguen, Zachariassen, Traore; Boli

We say: Slovan Bratislava 2-2 Ferencvaros

This has all of the makings of a brilliant second leg, and it should be a fascinating watch on Wednesday. We are expecting both sides to find the back of the net and have ultimately tipped a 2-2 draw at the end of the 90 minutes, which would take Bratislava into the next round courtesy of a 4-3 aggregate success.

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