Slávia TU Košice vs Poprad - 3. liga - East

The 3. liga - East returns to the home ground on September 13, 2026, where Slávia TU Košice and Poprad will lock horns in a contest that could shape their respective campaigns. Just as was the case in the previous meeting between the teams in April of last year, when Emery's side gave them such a scare in the Champions League tie at Villa Park, PSG were hanging on at the end.

There is little to choose between Slávia TU Košice and Poprad on paper, and the 3. liga - East encounter should reflect that balance. Slávia TU Košice will be keen to seize the initiative and build some momentum on home soil. The visitors will travel in the hope that a change of scene can spark a turnaround, whatever the form book says. The midfielder faces a significant period on the sidelines after being stretchered off during Uruguay's 1-0 defeat to Spain in the recent FIFA World Cup.

Tactically, the contest promises a fascinating contrast. Slávia TU Košice will look to impose their style on home soil, while Poprad are likely to have ideas of their own about how to gain the upper hand. Schalke had only 17 per cent of the possession but, having visited the club to interview their charismatic coach Miron Muslic, that is hardly a surprise.

Star players on both sides will be eager to make their mark, and the individual duels across the pitch could go a long way to deciding the outcome. Discipline at the back and sharpness in front of goal will likely tilt the balance one way or the other. Thierno Barry settled a match largely devoid of quality with a deflected effort as Everton beat Ipswich 1-0 at the Hill Dickinson, with VAR intervening to deny the Toffees forward what looked to be a legitimate second goal.

Predicting an outright winner is no easy task given how little separates the two sides on paper. With the sides so closely matched, a 1-1 stalemate looks the most likely way this one ends. The result at the home ground could resonate well beyond matchday in the 3. liga - East picture. Harry Kane is the favourite to win the Ballon d’Or.