Confident Slavia can shutout BATE in Czech capital

Champions League third round qualifier 6pm Tuesday

Slavia Prague have been absent from the Champions League group stage for ten years but the Czech champions are on the rise and should make the perfect start to their third qualifying round tie by beating BATE Borisov at the Eden Arena.

Slavia overcame Viktoria Plzen and bitter rivals Sparta to lift the Czech title - their first since 2009 - and the tough times look to have passed for Jaroslav Silhavy’s men, who lost just once on their way to league glory.

Returning to the big stage will be Silhavy’s next goal and Sparta should fancy their chances of overcoming BATE, who were hammered 3-0 by Dundalk in Dublin at this stage 12 months ago.

The Belarusians boast recent Champions League experience - they have reached the group stage in four of the past six seasons - but they limped past Armenian outfit Alashkert in the last round and have won only one of their last 19 road trips in this competition.

Slavia are understandably a short price to oblige and they should have an advantage to clutch on to in the return leg at Barysaw in eight days.

The hosts have lost just one of their last 28 competitive matches in the Czech capital and should be fit enough to do themselves justice, given they have already come through seven pre-season friendlies.

Slavia are full of confidence and the introduction of experienced duo Danny from Zenit and Halil Altintop from Augsburg should give their midfield a huge lift, while last term’s leading scorer Milan Skoda looks to be getting better with age.

The Red and Whites look to have a significant advantage in terms of individual quality and it could be worth chancing Silhavy’s improving bunch to get the job done with a clean sheet to boot.

Recommendation
Slavia Prague to win to nil
1pt 23-20 BoyleSports