- Recent home meetings: The home team has failed to win their last two home matches against Michalovce.
- Overall head-to-head: The home team has won two of the last five Super Liga head-to-head meetings (Podbrezova 2, Michalovce 1, 2 draws).
- Current form: Michalovce have won their last two matches in a row.
Polar opposites should make for a close game
Podbrezova are the favorites at 1.74 for Saturday's clash with Michalovce, who are priced at 4.03, with the draw available at 4.05. The odds lean toward a Podbrezova edge, while the visitors have won their last two in a row and are clearly the team in the better form, but the price on both teams to score points to a live game being on the cards rather than a close and cagey draw.
Stefan Markulik's Podbrezova are a proactive and high-tempo side that presses aggressively and looks to overload the flanks from a back-three shape. Michalovce boss Anton Soltis has seemingly had more success with a compact block, duel intensity and counter-attacking with directness.
The two opposing systems make the tactical battle that should ensue sound like a game of press versus block, with the hosts attempting to pin Michalovce in their own half and the visitors looking to punish them on the counter-attack.
Form and stats make Michalovce worthy of some faith
Form comparison:
Podbrezova are the stronger side on paper and should have the upper hand as the hosts at ZELPO Arena, but Michalovce are in good form and their counter-punching ability should make this a tense and swinging game. The form book doesn't lie, with Podbrezova having won just two of their last ten in all competitions while Michalovce have won five and lost five of the same amount of matches.
Recent results:
- Podbrezova come into this one following a 1-2 home defeat to Slovan Bratislava and then an away win at MSK Zilina by a 0-2 scoreline.
- Michalovce have back-to-back wins after a 2-1 victory over DAC Dunajska at home and 0-2 success at Slovan Bratislava last weekend.
- The Zemplin side have been in good scoring form recently, netting seven times in their last five, and are a real threat on the break.
Head-to-head and home record:
The last time these sides met was in the Super Liga Championship Group, away from home, and Podbrezova won 2-1. But they have failed to beat Michalovce in their previous two home games and this looks like a good opportunity for the away side to repeat their recent road wins – two in their last five away from home, wins at DAC and Slovan.
Podbrezova have just one draw and four defeats at home in their last five in all competitions, scoring just four times.
Take the draw or Podbrezova
The odds for a home win are slightly off, given the form and head-to-head record. A draw or a Podbrezova win is the main recommendation here, but a 2-1 exact score is also taken as Michalovce have been scoring plenty of late.
Luka Lemishko looks like a very reliable anytime goalscorer pick for Michalovce as he is their chief creator and has three assists in their last five matches.
