Slovan Bratislava vs Man City: TV channel, prediction, team news, lineups
By Ben Gray
Manchester City haven't failed to win both of their first two matches at the start of a European campaign since 2014; fair to say, most expect them to leave the Slovakian capital with all three points.
Slovan Bratislava vs Manchester City Preview
After only mustering a goalless draw when Internazionale visited the Etihad on matchday one, most expect Manchester City to pick up all three points in gameweek 2. For this match, they make the 917 mile journey east to Bratislava.
Pep Guardiola's team were held to a 1-1 draw at Newcastle on Saturday, despite taking the lead through Joško Gvardiol on Tyneside, so have been replaced by Liverpool as Premier League leaders. Still, the Sky Blues remain unbeaten across all competitions.
Thae draw at the weekend was their first league fixture since Rodri suffered a season-ending ACL rupture, so it'll be interesting to see how they cope in his continued, long-term absence. Here though, whoever Guardiola picks, the Citizens should cruise to victory at Národný futbalový štadión.
As for Slovan Bratislava, they captured the UEFA Cup Winners' Cup back in 1969, defeating Barcelona in the final, but have achieved very little in European football since. This has started to change in recent years.
Having won six successive Slovak titles, the Sky Blues have now featured in five UEFA group stages since 2019, but this is the first time they've qualified for the Champions League proper, overcoming Struga, Celje, APOEL and Midtjylland during the summer.
However, based on their matchday one display, Vladimír Weiss' side are going to struggle to compete at this level. They were demolished 5-1 at Celtic Park, with Kevin Wimmer's second half strike in Glasgow one of the better consolation goals you're ever likely to see.
Historically, Slovan Bratislava are winless in nine meetings with English opposition, losing seven of them, most-recently beaten home and away by Wolves five years ago, and anything other than a routine Man City victory at Tehelné pole would send shockwaves around the continent.
Slovan Bratislava vs Manchester City Head-to-Head Record
These two clubs have never previously met.
Slovan Bratislava Form Guide: WWWLW
- Zemplín Michalovce 2-4 Slovan Bratislava
- Beluša 1-6 Slovan Bratislava
- Slovan Bratislava 2-1 Ružomberok
- Celtic 5-1 Slovan Bratislava
- DAC Dunajská Streda 1-2 Slovan Bratislava
Manchester City Form Guide: DWDDW
- Newcastle United 1-1 Manchester City
- Manchester City 2-1 Watford
- Manchester City 2-2 Arsenal
- Manchester City 0-0 Internazionale Milano
- Manchester City 2-1 Brentford
Slovan Bratislava Team News
Club captain Vladimír Weiss, whose father and namesake is the manager, made five appearances for Manchester City back in 2009/10, and he'll start on the left-wing against his former employers.
There are a few other experienced heads in this team; César Blackman was a key figure as Panama reached the Copa América quarter-finals this summer, while fellow defender Guram Kashia was Georgia's captain as they got to the knockout stages at the Euros.
Alongside them across the backline, former Tottenham and Stoke defender Kevin Wimmer scored Slovan Bratislava's first-ever Champions League goal against Celtic, so will there be a hero bedecked in sky blue here?
Slovan Bratislava predicted lineup vs Manchester City: (4-2-3-1): Takáč; Blackman, Bajrić, Kashia, Wimmer; Kucka, Ihnatenko, Barseghyan, Tolić, Wiess; Strelec.
Slovan Bratislava Player to Watch vs Manchester City
If anyone is going to cause Manchester City problems, it's most likely to be Tigran Barseghyan. He took his tally to nine goals for the season already against MFK Zemplín Michalovce on Friday night, previously on target at home to both Celje and Midtjylland during Champions League qualifying, while Barseghyan has also scored on nine occasions for his national team Armenia.
Manchester City Team News
Kevin De Bruyne hasn't featured since coming off at half time against Inter a fortnight ago and, while is injury reportedly isn't too bad, he's not expected to be back in time for this one.
Mateo Kovačić and Rico Lewis were tasked with filling Rodri's sizeable void on Tyneside, with İlkay Gündoğan given more of a licence to go forward, while Matheus Nunes is another more than useful option. Phil Foden, Savinho and Jérémy Doku all came off the bench at St James' Park, so how many will be back in the team here?
Manchester City predicted lineup vs Slovan Bratislava: (4-2-3-1): Ederson; Walker, Rúben Dias, Akanji, Gvardiol; Kovačić, Gündoğan, Savinho, Foden, Grealish; Håland.
Manchester City Player to Watch vs Slovan Bratislava
Saturday's draw with Newcastle was the first time Erling Braut Håland has failed to score in a Premier League game this season while, in the Champions League, the Norwegian has netted 41 times in just 40 appearances.
In this competition, Håland has faced 19 different opponents, scoring against 14 of them, seeking to add Slovan Bratislava to his ever-growing list of victims; Real Madrid, Inter, Man City, Crvena zvezda and Ajax the exceptions, in case you were wondering!
Slovan Bratislava vs Manchester City Prediction
As referenced throughout, a comfortable Manchester City victory seems very likely. Slovan Bratislava were blown away by Celtic and, with all due respect to the Scottish champions, the difficulty level will now increase exponentially.
Man City have scored at least three on no fewer than 50 occasions in the Champions League since Guardiola's arrival, a tally that'll almost certainly rise: Slovan Bratislava 0-4 Manchester City.
Slovan Bratislava vs Manchester City FAQs - Champions League
How to watch Slovan Bratislava vs Manchester City Champions League game on TV channel?
Slovan Bratislava vs Manchester City Champions League game will be available on the following TV channels;
- UK: TNT Sports 1
- USA: Paramount+ & ViX.
- Canada: DAZN Canada
How to watch Slovan Bratislava vs Manchester City Champions League game on live streaming?
Slovan Bratislava vs Manchester City Champions League game will be available on the following streaming services;
- UK: Discovery+
- USA: Paramount+ & ViX.
- Canada: DAZN Canada
What is the date and kick-off time for Slovan Bratislava vs Manchester City in the Champions League?
Slovan Bratislava vs Manchester City in the Champions League takes place on Tuesday 1 October 2024, with kick off at 20:00 (BST), 15:00 (ET) & 12:00 (PDT).
feed