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Ruzomberok and Tobol will trade tackles in the first leg of their UEFA Europa League first-round qualification tie on Thursday. The home side are coming into the game on the back of a 2-2 draw against Zlin in a friendly.
Timotej Mudry and Zviad Natchkebia scored first-half goals to ensure the game was level at the break. Natchkebia completed his brace in the second half while Martin Chrien scored the equalizer in the 81st minute.
Ruža booked their spot in this stage of the qualifiers courtesy of their status as Slovenský Pohár champions.
Tobol, meanwhile, claimed maximum points with a routine 2-0 home win over Aktobe in the Kazakhstan League Cup. Radoslav Tsonev and Nurbol Zhumadelov scored in either half to guide their side to victory. The Kostanay outfit are in the qualifiers after having won the Kazakhstan Cup last season.
The winner of this tie will face Trabzonspor in the second round of the qualifiers while the losers drop into the UEFA Conference League qualifiers.
Ruzomberok vs Tobol Head-to-Head and Key Numbers
- This will be the first meeting between the two sides.
- Four of Tobol's last five games in all competitions have seen at least one side fail to find the back of the net.
- Ten of Ruzomberok's last 11 games in UEFA club competitions have seen one side keep a clean sheet.
- Four of Ruzomberok's last five games have witnessed more goals scored in the first half than the second.
- Tobol have won just one of their last seven away games (four losses).
- Ten of Tobol's last 12 games across competitions have seen one side keep a clean sheet.
Ruzomberok vs Tobol Prediction
Ruzomberok struggled during pre-season friendlies, having not won any of their last five friendlies, drawing four and losing one. They have never made it to the group stage of a UEFA club competition and a win here could boost their chances of advancing to the next round of the qualifiers.
Tobol have been in competitive action over the last few months, with the Kazakhstan league currently ongoing. They won their most recent game on their travels, having not won any of the preceding six.
The game is likely to be cagey, with few goalscoring opportunities and we are backing the spoils to be shared in a goalless stalemate.
Prediction: Ruzomberok 0-0 Tobol
Ruzomberok vs Tobol Betting Tips
Tip 1 - Result: Draw
Tip 2 - Both teams to score: No
Tip 3 - Under 2.5 goals
