MX23RW : Thursday, April 25 00:31:01| >> :120:7491:7491:
[monks data]
Attendance: 20,333
Slovan Bratislava
Europa League | Group Stage
Oct 24, 2019 at 5.55pm UK
 
Wolves logo

1-2

Sporar (11')
FT(HT: 1-0)
Saiss (58'), Jimenez (64' pen.)

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

Sports Mole provides team news, predicted lineups and a full preview of Thursday's Europa League encounter between Slovan Bratislava and Wolverhampton Wanderers.

Wolverhampton Wanderers head into Thursday's Europa League fixture with Slovan Bratislava looking to register their fifth successive away win in the competition.

However, their Slovakian hosts have come through their opening two games in Group K having recorded four points against Besiktas and Braga respectively.


Match preview

Wolves manager Nuno Espirito Santo on October 3, 2019© Reuters

After a less-than-inspiring start to the season on the domestic front, Nuno Espirito Santo will be delighted that his side have managed to put together a six-match unbeaten streak in all competitions, which includes the last-gasp triumph over Besiktas on matchday two in Europe.

However, despite the surprise win at Manchester City before the international break, Wolves are still not replicating their high levels from the last campaign on a regular basis.

As it stands, the English outfit are doing enough to remain above the relegation zone in the Premier League and in contention to qualify for the last 32 of the Europa League, but they still require some kind of spark to take them to the next level.

While much of that responsibility will fall on the shoulders of Adama Traore, Diogo Jota and Raul Jimenez, Nuno will want to see more from every player in his squad in order to ensure that they continue to be considered as one of the emerging teams on the continent.

A win against in-form Slovan Bratislava on away territory may be the catalyst that they require ahead of four away games in a row, although a positive result will not come easy given the recent displays of their hosts.

In another year, Bratislava may have had to settle for one point from their first two fixtures in this group, but storming finishes against Besiktas and Braga have led to that tally becoming four.

When the draw was made in September, Jan Kozak's team were regarded as the underdogs to progress further in the tournament but they have, so far, made the most of that tag.

Their last European meeting with a Premier League club also came against opposition from the West Midlands, with Aston Villa prevailing 2-1 on aggregate in the UEFA Cup first round back in 1993.

Slovan Bratislava form: WWWDDW

Wolverhampton Wanderers form: DDWWWD


Team News

Wolverhampton Wanderers' Diogo Jota celebrates scoring their first goal with Patrick Cutrone and team mates on September 22, 2019© Reuters

Having made his return from injury against Southampton, Jota should be handed a recall in attack, although Nuno has a dilemma about the make-up of his side.

If Ruben Neves and Romain Saiss are ruled out by ankle and hamstring injuries respectively, Jota may feature on the left side of a front three, alongside Traore and Jimenez.

Matt Doherty should come back into the team at right wing-back, while Jesus Vallejo is in line to play on the right-hand side of a back three if Ryan Bennett does not shake off an injury which led to his early withdrawal at the weekend.

As for Bratislava, Kozak went with five at the back against Braga, and the same formation could be used again to match up with Wolves.

Forward Andraz Sporar will be hoping to add to his three goals in the competition, while Marin Ljubicic may be a threat off the bench having contributed a goal and a assist in two cameo outings.

Slovan Bratislava possible starting lineup: Grief; Medvedev, Bajric, Abena, Vernon, Sukhotsky; Holman, Rabiu, Kamps; Sporar, Rharsalla

Wolverhampton Wanderers possible starting lineup: Patricio; Vallejo, Coady, Boly; Doherty, Dendoncker, Moutinho, Jonny; Traore, Jimenez, Jota


Sports Mole Logo

We say: Slovan Bratislava 1-1 Wolverhampton Wanderers

Both teams are aware that maximum points would provide them with a clear advantage in Group K at the halfway stage. However, we feel that may lead to a tense encounter which may produce a low-scoring draw.



ID:375828: cacheID:375828:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:7886:No Data Analysis info

Previews by email

Click here to get Sports Mole's daily email of previews and predictions for every major game!


Restore Data
Share this article now:
Wolves boss Nuno Espirito Santo on September 28, 2019
Read Next:
How Wolves could line up against Besiktas
>
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
10am
Blanch
Nadal
10am
Cachin
Ofner
10am
Elahi Galan
Bautista-Agut
10am
Gasquet
Sonego
10am
Hanfmann
Mensik
10am
Koepfer
Carballes Baena
10am
Kovacevic
Medjedovic
10am
Lajovic
Monteiro
10am
Machac
Ruusuvuori
10am
Michelsen
Fonseca
10am
Nishioka
Auger-Aliassime
10am
O'Connell
Arnaldi
10am
Purcell
Giron
10am
Ramos-Vinolas
Kotov
10am
Tabilo
Cobolli
10am
Zhizhen
Kecmanovic
10am
Azarenka
Maria
10am
Eala
Cirstea
10am
Annie Fernandez
Potapova
10am
Gauff
Rus
10am
Keys
Camelia-Begu
10am
Podoroska
Navarro
10am
Karolina Schmiedlova
Jabeur
10am
Swiatek
Wang
10am
Baez
Van Assche
10am
Coric
Zverev
10am
Martin Etcheverry
Shapovalov
10am
Humbert
Van De Zandschulp
10am
Hurkacz
Draper
10am
Marozsan
Cerundolo
10am
Paul
Klein
10am
Rublev
Bagnis
10am
Altmaier
Fils
10am
Darderi
Fritz
10am
Griekspoor
Daniel
10am
Munar
Struff
10am
Musetti
Seyboth Wild
10am
Navone
Rune
10am
Shevchenko
Alcaraz
10am
Alexandrova
Krueger
10am
Andreeva
Noskova
10am
Bejlek
Kalinskaya
10am
Boulter
Montgomery
10am
Bronzetti
Rybakina
10am
Collins
Danilovic
3pm
Cristian
Krejcikova
10am
Dolehide
Kalinina
10am
Garcia
Wang
10am
Linette
Sabalenka
10am
Pavlyuchenkova
Saville
10am
Sorribes Tormo
Svitolina
10am
Vekic
Sakkari
11.30am
Arango
Yastremska
11.30am
Osaka
Samsonova
11.30am
Ostapenko
Bouzas Maneiro
1pm
Haddad Maia
Errani
2.30pm
Lourdes Carle
Kudermetova
2.30pm
Mertens
Stephens
Tables header RHS

Group A

TeamPWDLPTS
QWest Ham650115
QFreiburg640212
3Olympiacos62137
4Backa Topola60151

Group B

TeamPWDLPTS
QBrighton641113
QMarseille632111
3Ajax61235
4AEK Athens61144

Group C

TeamPWDLPTS
QRangers632111
QSparta Prague631210
3Betis63039
4Aris Limassol61144

Group D

TeamPWDLPTS
QAtalanta642014
QSporting Lisbon632111
3Sturm Graz61144
4Rakow61144

Group E

TeamPWDLPTS
QLiverpool640212
QToulouse632111
3Union SG62228
4LASK61053

Group F

TeamPWDLPTS
QVillarreal641113
QRennes640212
3M. Haifa61235
4Panathinaikos61144

Group G

TeamPWDLPTS
QSlavia Prague650115
QRoma641113
3Servette61235
4Sheriff Tiraspol60151

Group H

TeamPWDLPTS
QB. Leverkusen660018
QQarabag631210
3Molde62137
4Hacken60060


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!