Slavia Prague vs Athletic – UEFA Champions League Match Preview (Main Stage, Round 5)
Match Date: November 25, 2025
Local Kick-off Time (Prague): 21:00
Slavia Prague and Athletic Bilbao meet in a crucial Champions League fixture where both sides need a win to keep their qualification hopes alive.
Our Prediction for Slavia Prague vs Athletic
Slavia Prague reclaimed the Czech league title last spring after a brief drought and appear determined to stay on top domestically, even with Sparta Prague and Jablonec keeping close pressure. In Europe, however, the Czech champions have struggled to find consistency.
Athletic, meanwhile, entered the season with high expectations. Ernesto Valverde led the Basques to the Copa del Rey title in 2024 and secured a fourth-place La Liga finish last season. Their strong opening in August has since faded, and the team have failed to win even half of their domestic matches since early autumn.
Slavia Prague’s Champions League Run
Slavia’s European journey has been disappointing. The Czechs have alternated between draws and defeats, starting with a 2–2 home draw against Bodo/Glimt followed by a 0–0 stalemate away at Atalanta. Against the group’s giants, they have been outclassed—Inter and Arsenal both defeated them by identical 3–0 scorelines.
Athletic’s Champions League Run
For Athletic, returning to the Champions League has proven challenging. Their lone victory came at home, where they overturned a deficit to beat Qarabag 3–1. Beyond that, they have shown little resistance. They suffered 0–2 defeats to Arsenal and Newcastle, and their heaviest blow came in Dortmund, where they fell 1–4.
Slavia Prague vs Athletic: Key Stats and Trends
• Slavia Prague have two draws and two losses in the group
• Slavia score just 0.5 goals per match while conceding 2.0
• Athletic have lost three of their four Champions League matches
• Athletic average 1.0 goal scored and 2.25 conceded per match
Possible Starting Lineups
Slavia Prague (probable):
Marković – Zima, Haloupek, Vlček – Mboji, Sadílek, Zafeiris, Moses – Sanyang, Provod, Chory
Athletic (probable):
Unai Simón – Boiro, Paredes, Vivian, Areso – Jaureguizar, Rego Mora, Berenguer, Vesga, Navarro – Unai Gómez
Previous Matches: Slavia Prague vs Athletic
The two teams met for the first time in October of last year in the Europa League. Athletic won that match 1–0 at San Mamés.
Odds Analysis Table
Market Prediction | Odds | Analysis |
|---|---|---|
Athletic 0 Handicap (Draw No Bet) | 1.77 | Athletic possess higher technical quality and greater experience despite their poor form. The DNB option reduces risk in a balanced matchup. |
Match Total Under 2.5 | 1.70–1.78 | Both teams struggle in attack, averaging fewer than 1.5 combined goals scored per match in the group stage. |
Both Teams to Score – No | 1.62–1.70 | Slavia’s low-scoring trend and Athletic’s difficulties away from home make this market statistically strong. |
Athletic Win | 2.30–2.45 | Higher class and better midfield structure give the visitors a real chance, though their inconsistency adds volatility. |
Free Prediction for Slavia Prague vs Athletic
The visitors may not be in ideal form, but they retain greater quality and a more stable tactical base. With both teams under pressure, Athletic’s superior squad depth may prove decisive.
Prediction: Athletic (0 Handicap), Odds 1.77.
