The playoff round of the Europa Conference League takes place this Wednesday and Thursday, and this game is one of seven ties to feature on Thursday night. Sturm Graz are the visitors and they put in perhaps the most dominant performance of them all last weekend, winning 4-1 at home to Slovan Bratislava, who have a tough task ahead of them here to overturn the deficit and make the next round.
Slovan Bratislave Form GuideIt was really poor from Slovan Bratislava last week, and I think anyone seeing that game will know that we didn't see anywhere near the best from this team. But their chances now are slim, and morale in the camp is going to be low coming into this game and knowing they have it all to do to make the next round.
The positive news is that they played at home domestically on Sunday, and did record a really nice win. They won 4-1 at home to Zlate Moravce, a game they were expected to win nicely, and made no mistake with.
Sturm Graz Form GuideSturm Graz were as good as any team in the competition last week, and it is fair to say that they come here with one foot in the next round already. A 4-1 win, a three goal lead, they've got everything they need, and just need to come here and finish the job.
That job is going to be made easier, I think, by the fact that Bratislava have to come out and be so attacking against them, that should leave gaps in behind where Graz can capitalise.
Match PredictionWith that in mind, and despite coming here already holding onto a nice lead, I am actually going to back Sturm Graz to win this game in 90 minutes, and further inflict troubles on Bratislava. A dominant win last week, I am going with more of the same for Sturm Graz this week.
