[GaNgStA kEeKs]

Syena's post that was in other european football. I added it here for a bit more exposure

Some preliminary thoughts (had a look on this earlier today and nothing strikes me as an exceptional bet, I will wait for the team news):


ARTMEDIA BRATISLAVA v NITRA 1.55 4.00 8.25
Nitra's wheels finally came off (I like saying that, don't I?) in the previous round. Or did they really? I still rate Zilina as one of the best (probably the best) side in the league and it is no shame losing to them, even if you are playing at home. The odds suggest Artmedia should win this, but they have a difficult midweek CL fixture ahead of them in Porto and it is likely Weiss (the manager) will rest some of the key players. A chance for Nitra to nick a sneaky win? I don't know.

BANSKÁ BYSTRICA v AŠK INTER BRATISLAVA 1.70 3.50 6.45
Banska Bystrica have been rather solid at home (4-0-1), whereas Inter are a very average team with an away record of 1-1-3. The hot news is that Banska Bystrica's manager was just sacked because of poor away results and the early Cup exits (UEFA Cup + Slovak Cup). Another reason given by the management was that he was too soft (no puns please) on the players. I think Banska will try to win and impress on Saturday. It is hard to expect a good atmosphere on their shitty stadium, but the management have prepared a special cheap ticket deal for those fans who come clad in red (Banska's colour).

RUŽOMBEROK v FC SPARTAK TRNAVA 2.60 3.00 2.65
This is a difficult game to call as both teams have been in great form. Trnava lost to Artmedia in the previous round but they really worked their socks off and got a deserved round of applause from their fans after the game. Ruzomberok are in very good shape, 6-0-2 in the last 8 games, 4-0-1 in the last 5 at home (identical stats with Trnava, as a matter of fact) and they disposed of Inter Bratislava away easily in the previous round.

AS TRENČÍN v DUBNICA 1.75 3.30 4.30
Trencin are proving to be rather difficult to beat at home, could this be because of their new artificial grass? Trencin's home form is solid with 4 wins and 1 loss in the last 5. Dubnica's overall form and away form is poor (1-1-3). The home win is the most likely result but I'd want slightly higher odds. I'll wait for the team news.

MŠK ŽILINA v ŠK MATADOR PÚCHOV 1.35 5.00 9.00
I can't see past a Zilina win here. Zilina are 3rd from top with enough quality in the squad, Puchov are in last place with only 5 points to their name and they are increasingly beginning to look like relegation material. Sadly enough, the odds on the home win are very skinny. A handicap could be a good thing to consider.