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

The Slovakians caused a major upset by winning 2-0 in Switzerland last week, moving them to within two points of their forthcoming opponents in Group H.

Match preview

After finishing third in the group stage of the inaugural Europa Conference League last season, Slovan Bratislava are hoping to make the knockout rounds this time around.

After only picking up one point from their two matches against Pyunik and Zalgiris, that prospect looked incredibly unlikely ahead of a double-header against Swiss Super League runners-up Basel.

However, Lukas Pauschek and Aleksandar Cavric struck before half-time to provide Vladimir Weiss's side with a two-goal cushion heading into the second half, with the hosts unable to turn the game around.

Having won four successive Slovakian Super Liga titles - with two of those coming under Weiss's tutelage - the Sky Blues may well feel it is about time they made an impact on European competition, but they require another victory against Basel on Thursday to put destiny in their own hands heading into the final two games in Group H.

Basel have suffered a significant fall from grace in recent times, having missed out on the Swiss Super League title in each of the last five seasons, despite winning nine of the previous 10 on offer.

FCB reached the last-16 of the Champions League on three occasions in the 2010's decade, too, but that almost feels a lifetime ago now that they are competing in Europe's third tier of competitions.

However, having reached the last-16 of this competition last season, they will feel it is one which they can target competing for towards the tail end, especially with Alexander Frei's side lagging 11 points and six places behind league leaders Young Boys on the domestic front.

Frei should have learned plenty from their surprise defeat at home to Slovan Bratislava last week, and if they can return to winning ways on Thursday then they will only require two points from their last two games to secure a second successive progression to the knockout stages.

Slovan Bratislava Europa Conference League form:

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Slovan Bratislava form (all competitions):

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Basel Europa Conference League form:

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Basel form (all competitions):

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Team News

The hosts remain without goalkeeper Michal Sulla due to a cruciate ligament injury, but Weiss appears to have all other options available to him.

The former Slovakia boss is unlikely to make any changes to the starting XI that shocked Basel last week, with his son, club captain and namesake Vladimir Weiss set to start on the left flank.

Basel, meanwhile, will travel without Kasim Adams after his red card in the reverse fixture, while Sergio Lopez, Yannick Marchand and Tician Tushi are all expected to miss out through injury.

Dan Ndoye could start on the right flank in order to inject more pace into Frei's side.

Slovan Bratislava possible starting lineup:

Chovan; Pauschek, Kashia, Morlacchi, Lovat; Kankava, Kucka; Zmrhal, Chakvetadze, Weiss; Cavric

Basel possible starting lineup:

Hitz; Lang, Comas, Pelmard, Katterbach; Xhaka, Burger; Ndoye, Augustin, Millar; Zeqiri

We say: Slovan Bratislava 1-2 Basel

We expect Basel to gain revenge on their opponents and move a big step closer to advancing to the knockout stages.

Slovan Bratislava undoubtedly have some talented players, but they may end up ruing only taking one point from their opening two games.

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