Led by 2009 winner Yaya Toure, favourites Slovan Bratislava will get their Champions League playoff under way on Wednesday evening, when they host Slovenian outsiders Celje. After both clubs fought through qualifying rounds two and three, they face one more barrier before reaching the league stage.Download Our MozzartSport App For More NewsSlovan are aiming to make the Champions League's main phase for just the second time to date, having finished 35th out of 36 teams in 2024. Following such a difficult debut, the Slovakian club also underwhelmed in the Conference League last season, but they are now back in the playoffs for Europe's top competition.##NAJAVA_MECA_9901398##Kick-off: 10:00 PM (Kenyan Time), Wednesday 19 AugustVenue: Štadión Tehelné pole, BratislavaGroup: UEFA Champions League Playoff RoundCurrent standings: Champions League Playoff First LegBETTING GUIDE: Celtic vs LASK Linz,match preview, team news and predictionQualification implications: The winner over two legs advances to the UEFA Champions League league phase, while the loser enters the UEFA Europa League league phase.Form GuideSlovan Bratislava: ✅ Win Vs Ruzomberok (5-0)✅ Win Vs Mjallby (2-0)✅ Win Vs Mjallby (1-2)✅ Win Vs Podbrezova (3-0)➖ Draw Vs Iberia 1999 (1-1)Celje:✅ Win Vs Nafta (1-3)✅ Win Vs Ararat-Armenia (2-0)✅ Win Vs O.Ljubljana (1-0)❌ Loss Vs Ararat-Armenia (2-1)➖ Draw Vs Maribor (1-1)Head-to-Head (Last Two Meetings)✅ Slovan Bratislava 5-0 Celje (30.07.24 – UCL Qualifying)➖ Celje 1-1 Slovan Bratislava (24.07.24 – UCL Qualifying)##NAJAVA_MECA_9901360##Team NewsSlovan Bratislava❌ Andraž Šporar – Missing out due to injury.🟢 Tigran Barseghyan – Fit and available.🟢 Mykola Kukharevych and Rahim Ibrahim – Expected to return to the starting lineup.Celje🟢 Papa Daniel – Set to return from suspension.🟢 No fresh injury concerns reported.Player to Watch: Tigran Barseghyan (Slovan Bratislava)Tigran Barseghyan will be a key figure for Slovan Bratislava as they aim to establish a strong first-leg advantage on home soil.The Armenian winger carries dynamic attacking flair and possesses a proven track record against Celje, having scored the final goal against the Slovenian outfit during their 6-1 aggregate victory two years ago.Fully fit and available for selection, Barseghyan offers precise delivery and dynamic movement from out wide. His creative spark alongside centre-forward Mykola Kukharevych makes him Slovan's most potent weapon to crack open the opposition defense.🟢 Safe Bet (Low Risk)Slovan Bratislava to Win🟡 Smart Bet (Medium Risk)Slovan Bratislava to Win and Over 1.5 Goals🔴 Long Shot (High Risk)Slovan Bratislava to Win 3-1Disclaimer: Whilst we do our utmost to offer good advice and information, we cannot be held responsible for any loss that may be incurred as a result of gambling.
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