FC Slovacko vs FC Koln Match Anaysis and Prediction

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FC Slovacko will play host to German side FC Koln at the Mestsky Fotbalovy Stadion on Thursday for a Europa Conference League group-stage match.

Despite being European debutants this season, Slovacko have shown the continent that they belong at this level as their victory away at Nice last time out proved.

The Czech cup winners enter the contest confident too after recently improving their home form, winning successive matches after going six games without a win on home turf.

However, Slovacko were perhaps a little fortunate to defeat Teplice at the weekend, as they required two goals in the final five minuted to turn the game around and claim a 2-1 victory.

Four wins and five defeats in their last nine games across all competitions showcases their inconsistency, as Martin Svedik’s side have struggled to juggle the demands of European and domestic football so far this season and are down in 10th place in the league.

However, while Svedik’s side have shown some improvement at home, FC Koln are in dire need of an upturn in results away from home.

A defeat at Partizan Belgrade in their last group match could be fatal to FC Koln’s hopes of progressing through the group after they had already lost the reverse fixture in Germany a week ealier.

Like Slovacko, Koln find currently themselves sitting in 10th place in domestic league table, and successive defeats in Europe means two victories could be necessary to see them having any chance of qualifying from Group D in this competition.

Improving on their defence will be paramount if they are to accomplish that, as they have conceded 14 goals in their last four games.

Should Slovacko manage to win 2-0, 3-1 or by a three-goal margin or greater, then Koln will be eliminated from Europe on Thursday.

FC Slovacko vs FC Koln head to head

These two teams have previously met on just one occasion in the Europa Conference League on September 15, where FC Koln won 4-2 at home.

FC Cologne 4-2 Slovacko 15/09/22

FC Slovacko latest home form

FC Slovacko have recently seemed to be on an upturn in form at home, having won each of their two most recent matches. They managed to defeat Teplice 2-1 in their last home game in the league. In their last five matches, they have scored 10 goals and conceded eight.

Slovacko 0-2 Jablonec 18/09/22

Slovacko 0-1 Nice 06/10/22

Slovacko 2-4 Bohemians 1905 09/10/22

Slovacko 6-0 Varnsdorf 19/10/22

Slovacko 2-1 Teplice 23/10/22

FC Slovacko latest away form

FC Slovacko have recently failed to keep a good run of form on the road, having won just two of their six most recent matches. They lost 3-1 to Banik Ostrava in their last away game in the league. In their last five matches, they have scored eight goals and conceded nine.

Mlada Boleslav 1-1 Slovacko 11/09/22

FC Cologne 4-2 Slovacko 15/09/22

Zlin 0-2 Slovacko 02/10/22

Nice 1-2 Slovacko 13/10/22

Banik Ostrava 3-1 Slovacko 16/10/22

FC Koln latest home form

FC Koln have recently been on a relatively good run of form at home, having lost just two of their six most recent matches. They managed to defeat Augsburg 3-2 in their last home game in the league. In their last five matches, they have scored 10 goals and conceded eight.

FC Cologne 0-1 Union Berlin 11/09/22

FC Cologne 4-2 Slovacko 15/09/22

FC Cologne 3-2 Borussia Dortmund 01/10/22

FC Cologne 0-1 Partizan 06/10/22

FC Cologne 3-2 Augsburg 16/10/22

FC Koln latest away form

FC Koln have recently failed to keep a good run of form on the road, having been winless in their five most recent matches. They lost 5-0 to Mainz in their last away game in the league. In their last five matches, they have scored just four goals and conceded 14.

Nice 1-1 FC Cologne 08/09/22

Bochum 1-1 FC Cologne 18/09/22

Borussia M’gladbach 5-2 FC Cologne 09/10/22

Partizan 2-0 FC Cologne 13/10/22

Mainz 5-0 FC Cologne 21/10/22

FC Slovacko news

Svedik should have a fully-fit squad at his dispossal to choose from as there are no known injury concerns or suspensions for Slovacko ahead of kick off.

Libor Kozak was the Europa League top scorer back in 2012-13, and should start for the hosts, while Milan Petrzela continues to be a regular starter.

FC Koln news

Sebastian Andersso is absent with a knee injury and Julian Chabot is suffering from a sprained ankle, while Tim Lemperle will not return until next month with an ankle injury.

Despite his red card at the weekend, Luca Kilian should be eligible to play here, while Jan Thielmann could return soon.

Prediction and Odds

Despite a mix of results recently for both teams, they have been strong in front of goal, and the reverse fixture saw Koln win 4-2 at home.

With a heavy defeat likely to see them eliminated, the visitors must go out with an attacking mentality to ensure the Czech debutants do not defeat them.

Odds: 1 2.78 X 2.05 2 2.21