Manchester City are on the road for their Champions League exploits this week, as Pep Guardiola’s side face Slovakian league serial winners Slovan Bratislava.
It was an uneventful Matchweek One for Guardiola’s team, as they played out a 0-0 stalemate at home against Inter Milan.
They are the overwhelming favourites to conquer their Slovakian counterparts on Tuesday night, however, with their host’s experience of European football’s top competition limited.
The Premier League champions are still unable to call upon Nathan Ake, Oscar Bobb and Kevin de Bruyne as they recover from their respective injuries.
Slovan Bratislava vs Manchester City – Match Preview and Team News
Form
Slovan Bratislava: WLWWW
The Slovakian giants have won their nation’s top league six years on the bounce and are currently residing in their customary top spot this season after eight games.
Vladimir Weiss’ side booked their spot in this year’s redesigned group phase after edging out Danish league champions FC Midtjylland 4-3 on aggregate in the final qualifying round.
However, their almost decade wait for Champions League group stage action was rudely interrupted by Celtic on Matchweek One, as the Hoops thrashed Bratislava 5-1 in Glasgow.
Weiss’ son, Vladimir, also plays for Slovan Bratislava. The 34-year-old made five first-team appearances for Manchester City earlier in his career.
Do you remember Vladimir Weiss? He is now the captain of #ManCity’s next Champions League opponents, Slovan Bratislava! 🇸🇰 pic.twitter.com/acQWWN1wE4
— City Report (@cityreport_) September 30, 2024
Manchester City: WDDWD
City had to share the spoils at the weekend, as Newcastle United frustrated the champions to earn themselves a point.
Josko Gvardiol finished with unerring composure past Nick Pope to open the scoring early on at St James’ Park, but an Anthony Gordon spot-kick levelled things up after the interval.
JOHN 💬 At the end of the day, it’s a game of football against a quality team. You can get sucked into what goes on around the game. We are focused on doing the job at hand. We know how difficult it’s going to be. We have come here to win and that won’t be easy. It’s another… pic.twitter.com/d417vqV8vo
— Manchester City (@ManCity) September 30, 2024
Only Liverpool are above them in the Premier League after six games and with their opponents shipping five away to Celtic a fortnight ago, City will be licking their lips at the chance of a response in Europe.
Last Meeting: N/A
The two teams have never played each other.
Predicted Lineups
Slovan Bratislava: Takac, Medvedev, Wimmer, Kashia, Blackman, Ignatenko, Kucka, Weiss, Tolic, Barseghyan, Strelec.
Manchester City: Ortega, Stones, Akanji, Dias, Kovacic, Nunes, Doku, Foden, Silva, Savinho, Haaland.
Who is the referee?
Italian referee Davide Mass is the match official. Filippo Meli and Stefano Alassio will assist him. The VAR is Marco Di Bello and he will be assisted by Valerio Marini.
What channel is Slovan Bratislava vs Manchester City on?
Slovan Bratislava vs Manchester City will be available to watch on TNT Sports 1 and Discovery+.
What time is kick-off?
Kick-off at the Stadion Tehelne pole will be at 20:00 BST on Tuesday 1st October 2024.
Odds
Slovan Bratislava – 33/1
Draw – 12/1
Man City – 1/20
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