Verdict: BSC Young Boys win
Best Odds: 2/3
Bookmaker: Dachbet
Holding a slender first-leg advantage, Young Boys will return to Switzerland on Thursday night when they welcome Slovan Bratislava to the Wankdorf Stadium.
BSC Young Boys
Starting with the hosts, putting in a gritty first-leg performance on foreign soil last week as they eventually left Slovakia with a 1-0 victory, Young Boys are sat in the driving seat when they return to Switzerland on Thursday evening. While the Yellows might have struggled to find any real domestic stability since opening up the 2025/26 campaign, Giorgio Contini’s side have turned somewhat of a recent corner. Extending on their Swiss Cup campaign on August 17th as they clinched a routine 4-1 romp away at Courtetelle, the former St. Gallen boss has seen his squad register consecutive victories across all competitions for just the second time since the start of April. Likewise, shipping just a single strike in over 270 minutes of action, Young Boys will be confident of booking their Europa League group stage ticket with a statement here.
BSC Young Boys Team News
Limping off after suffering a first-half blow in Slovakia last week, Young Boys are expected to be without former Basel midfielder Darian Males on Thursday night. Not making a single appearance so far this calendar year, Guinea international Facinet Conte remains on the sidelines.
Bagging the first-leg winner last week and notching a first goal of the season, Union Berlin loanee Chris Bedia will play a leading role in the final third. One-time Manchester United youngster Saidy Janko will start at right-back.
Slovan Bratislava
As for the visitors, missing out on the chance to claim a crucial first-leg advantage on home soil last week, Slovan Bratislava have a real mountain to climb on Thursday night. Despite making real history last season as they claimed a 23rd domestic crown, Vladimir Weiss’ side have drastically struggled to find any kind of stability this time around. Missing out on the chance to clinch a much-welcomed boost over the weekend as they were forced to settle for a downbeat 1-1 stalemate away at Michalovce, the former Georgia boss could have some increasing pressure on his shoulders. Watching their Champions League dreams come to a shock end last month as they suffered penalty shootout heartbreak at home against Kairat Almaty, Slovan Bratislava have mustered just a single win from any of their previous five appearances across all competitions.
Slovan Bratislava Team News
Despite dealing with a recent know, former Benfica youngster Sandro Cruz will start in defence. Completing a permanent switch from Championship outfit Swansea this summer, Ukrainian marksman Mykola Kukharevych could make a first Europa League start.
Notching just a single strike in any of his previous eight appearances across all competitions, Armeinian international Tigran Barseghyan might settle for a spot on the bench. Number one goalkeeper Dominik Takac will return between the sticks on Thursday night.
BSC Young Boys vs Slovan Bratislava Key Factors to Consider
- When BSC Young Boys and Slovan Bratislava met for their first-leg showdown last week, Thursday’s hosts collected a 1-0 victory in Slovakia.
- Young Boys have registered consecutive victories for just the second time since the start of April.
- Slovan Bratislava have mustered just a single win from any of their previous five appearances across all competitions.
- The Yellows have shipped just a single strike in over 270 minutes of action across all formats.
- Bratislava have not recorded a single competitive victory on their travels since the start of May.
Conclusion
Putting in a gritty performance last week as they clinched a 1-0 victory away in Slovakia, Young Boys will be confident of punching their Europa League group stage ticket here. Holding a slender advantage on Thursday night, the Swiss giants have also registered consecutive wins for just the second time since the start of April. Pencilled in as a standout contender in midweek, Contini’s side will once again meet a Slovan Bratislava squad who have continued to show some glaring inconsistencies. Yet to record a single away win since opening up the 2025/26 campaign, we are backing a home victory at the Wankdorf Stadium.
Verdict: BSC Young Boys win
Best Odds: 2/3
Bookmaker: Dachbet
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