Atalanta vs Slavia Prague Preview: Team News & Prediction | 2025-26 UEFA Champions League | League Phase
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Atalanta are looking to make it two league phase victories in a row at home, as they welcome Slavia Prague to Bergamo.
Kick-off date/time:
How to watch on TV: UK – TNT Sports / US – Not televised
How to watch online: UK – discovery+ / US – Paramount+
Atalanta preview: Comeback kicks campaign into gear
Things weren’t looking good for Atalanta at half-time in their second league phase match at home to Club Brugge. The Serie A side had fallen behind and a second consecutive Champions League was looming. However, a late rally saw Ivan Juric’s men turn things around and come away with a vital win by two goals to one.
It was Lazar Samardzic from the penalty spot and Mario Pasalic that got the crucial goals for Atalanta, the latter scoring with just three minutes of normal time remaining. That win took them into the top 24 and in a promising position to kick on.
Slavia Prague preview: Still one point on the board
Slavia Prague have found things extremely difficult so far in the league phase, throwing away a two-goal lead at home against Bodo/Glimt to draw 2-2 before being comprehensively beaten by three goals to nil at the hands of Inter Milan. Last season’s runners-up enjoyed almost total domination over Slavia, who must improve as they make their return to Italy for this game.
Since that defeat against Inter, Slavia have played just two domestic fixtures, firstly drawing the Prague derby with Sparta after going down to ten men in a game which finished 1-1. Since then, they could not find a way to break down Zlin and were forced to settle for a goalless draw.
Atalanta team news: Late call on pair
A hamstring injury rules out defender Giorgio Scalvini, whilst this game comes too soon for Sead Kolasinac. However, full-back Raoul Bellanova and the versatile Odilon Kossounou have both trained individually and could yet feature.
Predicted XI (3-4-1-2): Carnesecchi; Djimsiti, Hien, Ahanor; Bellanova, De Roon, Ederson, Zalewski; Samardzic; Sulemana, Lookman
Unavailable: Kolasinac (Fitness), Scalvini (Injured)
Questionable: Bellanova (Injured), Kossounou (Injured), Scamacca (Fitness)
Slavia Prague team news: Likely change in goal
A potential blow for Slavia may see them needing to make a goalkeeping change due to Jindrich Stanek’s muscle injury. Stanek has trained leading up to this game and a late decision will have to be made with Jakub Markovic set to deputise in his absence.
Predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Markovic; Boril, Zima, Chaloupek, Mbodji; Dorley, Zafeiris; Provod, Cham, Kusej; Chory
Unavailable: Doudera (Injured), Ogbu (Injured)
Questionable: Stanek (Injured)
Atalanta vs Slavia Prague prediction
Despite being away from home, Slavia Prague will no doubt believe they can come away with something in Italy against an Atalanta side who have won just one of their last four in all competitions. But that victory came in the Champions League and coming from behind in the manner that they did to win vs Club Brugge showed a huge fighting spirit that bodes well for La Dea moving forward.
Whilst Slavia were outclassed against Inter, them and Atalanta represent a much more even match-up and with both seeing this fixture as a golden opportunity for three points, it should lead to an entertaining encounter. With that in mind, consider backing both teams to score as each likely look to push multiple bodies forward when in possession in a bid to win the game.
Atalanta vs Slavia Prague Tip: Both teams to score
