Slavia Praha vs Athletic Club

Slavia Prague head into this crucial UEFA Champions League league-phase clash still searching for their first win of the campaign after a difficult run in Europe. Jindřich Trpišovský’s side have failed to score in three consecutive Champions League League outings [LDL], a sequence capped by a heavy 3-0 loss to Arsenal on matchday four. Their slow start has left them sitting 30th in the league-phase table with just two points [0W, 2D, 2L], and their struggles on the continental stage are nothing new. The Czech champions are winless in their last 11 major European fixtures [0W, 4D, 7L] and haven’t claimed a victory in the UCL proper since September 2007, a barren run now stretching to 15 matches [0W, 6D, 9L]. Yet, the contrast with their domestic form could hardly be sharper. The Červenobílí remain relentless in Czech competitions, scoring 14 goals across their last four league and cup outings [WWWW], including a routine 3-1 victory over Bohemians 1905 at the weekend. However, the Červenobílí will have to manage without Oscar Dorley, Dominik Javorček and Petr Ševčík due to injury. Meanwhile, a 4—3—3 formation is expected with Youssoupha Sanyang, Tomáš Chorý and Lukáš Provod forming a trident attacking line.

Athletic Club arrive in Prague only marginally better off, with three points on the UCL league phase board [1W, 0D, 3L] after recording a 2-0 defeat to Newcastle United in matchday four. Ernesto Valverde’s men also find themselves under pressure, having lost four of their last five competitive fixtures [LLLWL], a miserable run punctuated by a bruising 4-0 defeat to Barcelona last weekend. Away form has been a concern for the Basque side. The Lehoiak are winless in their last six major European trips [0W, 1D, 5L], a record that will not inspire confidence as they visit a stadium where Slavia rarely falter. Still, they can lean on recent precedent: they defeated Slavia 1-0 in Bilbao in their only previous meeting. That victory came on matchday three of the 2024/25 Europa League, and they also beat Viktoria Plzeň 3-1 in last season’s league phase, giving the Lehoiak back-to-back wins against Czech opposition. Valverde, however, must cope without Iñaki Williams, Maroan Sannadi and a few others due to injury. Meanwhile, Unai Gómez may lead the attacking line in a 4—2—3—1 formation.