Apoel Nicosia v Slovan Bratislava

APOEL vs Slovan Bratislava Preview

APOEL Nicosia have it all to do ahead of this 2nd leg tie of their 3rd qualifying round in the Champions League against Slovakian outfit Slovan Bratislava following last week's 2-0 defeat at the Štadión Tehelné pole, while the visitors know they just need to avoid defeat here at Neo GSP on Tuesday night to send them through to the play-off stage.

Prior to last week's loss in Slovakia, APOEL had put together a solid and stubborn looking seven-match unbeaten run in all competitions which included a 2-1 win away from home against Spartak Subotica in a pre-season friendly along with a 1-0 home win against Moldovan club Petrocub which contributed to a 2-1 win on aggregate in the previous qualifying round in the Champions League.

Having slipped to just two defeats in their last 11 games overall, APOEL Nicosia will be hopeful that they can turn this 2nd leg tie around in their favour although it should be noted that no fewer than five of their last 11 matches overall have resulted in draws.

In addition, four of these five stalemates have also resulted in score-draws with both teams hitting the back of the net, while overall form on home soil in Cyprus has seen APOEL lose just twice in their previous 21 games at Neo GSP.

Slovan Bratislava racked up a seventh win in eight games overall in all competitions with last week's 2-0 win on home soil at their Štadión Tehelné pole and this recent run of winning momentum should therefore stand the Slovakian visitors in good stead as they prepare for this return leg in Cyprus.

Pre-season friendly wins against Blau-Weiss Linz and Petrzalka were followed by wins against Struga 4-2 and 2-1 and a 5-0 thrashing of Celje in the previous rounds of this season's Champions League qualifiers which will no doubt give Vladimir Weiss's side plenty of confidence for this return leg.

In addition, wins in the domestic top flight in the Slovakian Super Liga against Komarno 4-1 away from home and a 1-0 home win against Podbrezova will also serve as important morale-boosting results for the visitors.

However, recent results away from home suggest an away win for Slovan Bratislava in this 2nd leg tie may be easier said than done as the visitors have managed to pick up just three wins in their last eight outings on the road, but the goals market appeals as six of Slovan Bratislava's last eight away games have also resulted in both teams scoring.

APOEL v Slovan Bratislava Verdict

Both APOEL and Slovan Bratislava therefore look capable of notching again in this 2nd leg and this could result in a score-draw unfolding at Neo GSP.

Therefore, our main bet will be BTTS Yes @ 1.83

Other side bets worth considering:

Draw @ 3.30

Correct Score: 1-1 @ 6.50