- Odds: Slavia Sofia are the 1.6 favorites, while Montana 1921 are 5.14 on the night.
- Home form: Slavia Sofia have won seven, drawn five and lost five of their 17 home games in Parva Liga.
Form & figure point to home win, but goals could be scarce
PFC Slavia Sofia are the 1.6 favourites against PFC Montana 1921, who are 5.14 on the road this Friday and we feel that Slavia are more likely to win than the odds suggest. Montana 1921 have never won away to Slavia Sofia and have struggled on the road (W1, D5, L11).
Slavia Sofia have won one and lost three of their last five matches and Montana 1921 have failed to win any of their last five (D3, L2). However, there are enough contrasting factors in form, recent head to head and home and away records to suggest that the 1.6 favourites will edge the contest on the night.
In the 0-0 draw in the reverse fixture four weeks ago, Montana 1921 gave a decent account of themselves. But Slavia Sofia have the edge in the last two meetings (W1, D1) and they should have the quality and belief to edge a close game on Friday.
Slavia Sofia are better than the bookmakers suggest
League position
Slavia Sofia are 2nd in the Parva Liga Relegation Group and have accumulated 43 points from their 34 matches this season. That’s 20 more than Montana 1921 who are 8th in the standings. So, it stands to reason that Slavia Sofia are the superior side and should win this one, if they are able to get into a rhythm.
Tactical setup
Slavia manager Ratko Dostanic likes to build from the back and his team tend to play a controlled 4-1-4-1 structure.
But if Slavia Sofia keep their cool and maintain their shape, we expect them to get on top over the course of the 90 minutes and edge the game. The hosts can be slow to ramp up the pace and pressure in a negative fashion but they have just enough quality to break the deadlock and we are going with a home win and under 2.5 goals at 1.88 as a result, as neither side have been prolific in attack recently.
- Their central pivot is a key player for the hosts as he dictates the pace of the game and is integral to the build-up and possession dominance.
- It should be a test for the visitors as Montana 1921 manager Atanas Atanasov sets up with five at the back and low, deep defensive block.
- Boris Dimitrov will offer a direct threat up front for Montana 1921 and he is in good form, scoring two of the team's last five goals.
- Montana 1921 will get their chances on counter attacks and from set-pieces but they are more of a pragmatic than an expansive team.
- Their game plan involves surging onto the flank when possible and attacking the wide areas, which should suit them against Slavia Sofia’s narrow 4-1-4-1 formation, which can be overrun by the ball if they push forward.
