Iberia 1999 vs Slovan Bratislava Prediction: Bratislava experience can be crucial

We’ve reached the second round of Champions League qualifying and the Mikheil Meskhis Stadium is the venue for the first leg between Iberia 1999 and Slovan Bratislava (Tuesday - 5pm BST).

Warren Ashurst has two bets to consider for the clash in Georgia, as well as the key team news and match odds. His Iberia 1999 vs Slovan Bratislava predictions can be found below.

Team News

The home side are expected to stick with the same XI that started the second leg against Flora Tallinn last week.

Boss Andriy Demchenko made a midfield change midway through the second half, when Eldar Kuliiev replaced Giorgi Kutsia.

That seemed to unsettle things in the middle of the park and Flora scored their two goals after that substitution, so Kutsia is likely to start on Tuesday.

Experienced Slovenia striker Andraz Sporar, who has played 68 times for his country, is expected to play a key role for the Slovakian champions.

The former Middlesbrough and Sporting Lisbon man was their leading scorer last season and is likely to lead the line on Tuesday.

Iberia 1999 vs Slovan Bratislava Odds

The hosts, who have never previously made the main draw of a European competition, are 9/4 to win the first leg in Tbilisi.

Former Cup Winners Cup champions Slovan Bratislava can be backed at EVENS, while the draw is available at 13/5.

Match Result - Slovan Bratislava @ EVENS

It’s only two seasons since the Slovakian outfit were in the Champions League league phase, where they faced the likes of Manchester City, Bayern Munich and AC Milan.

They played Conference League football last season, taking three points against La Liga side Rayo Vallecano and Swedish club BK Hacken.

That recent experience is invaluable at this stage of the competition and they should have too much for an Iberia 1999 team that is ranked 249 in the UEFA coefficients.

Former Barcelona star Yaya Toure has taken charge of Slovan during the close season and he will demand a strong start from his players in his first managerial role.

Under 2.5 Goals @ 5/4

The home side are midway through their season and that can often be helpful, but recent results show the Georgian champions are not in great form.

Having been 5-2 up against Flora Tallinn in the last round, they eventually held on to progress 5-4 on aggregate.

Prior to that two-legged European test, Iberia 1999 had lost the Georgian Super Cup final on penalties to Torpedo Kutaisi.

Bratislava are unbeaten in four pre-season friendlies, and that includes clean sheets in 1-0 wins over Grazer AK and Slavia Prague.

Ex-Manchester City midfielder Toure has already seen some good signs from his men in pre-season, with an impressive friendly draw at Red Star and a home win over Pafos.