Sabah vs Slavia Prague Preview: Team News & Prediction | 2026-27 UEFA Champions League | League Phase
by Alex Lawes ·
Azeri champions Sabah continue their debut UEFA Champions League campaign with a first home game in the league phase coming against Slavia Prague.
Kick-off date/time:
How to watch on TV & online: UK – TNT Sports & HBO Max / USA – Paramount+
Sabah preview: Back in Baku
Sabah are having to play their home games in the UEFA Champions League at the Olympic Stadium in Baku so they won’t have too many home comforts but they will simply be enjoying the ride of having qualified for the league phase.
Sabah’s opening game saw them hammered 4-0 by Manchester United at Old Trafford, albeit they did have some moments in that game. They have since beaten Safa and Imisli as well as drawn with Neftchi Baku domestically.
Slavia Prague preview: In fine form
Slavia Prague come into this one on the back of a slender 1-0 defeat of Zlin in the Czech top-flight at the weekend, extending their winning streak to four matches since they lost their opening game in the league phase of this competition.
In that opener at the Fortuna Arena last month, Slavia twice took the lead in the second half via Danijel Sturm before goals from Florian Thauvin and Ruben Aguilar in second half stoppage-time won the game for French outfit Lens.
Sabah team news: Couple of injuries
Sabah do not appear to have any fresh injury concerns for this one but the hosts do have a couple of confirmed absentees as Khayal Aliyev, who has a hamstring injury, is joined on the sidelines by defender Steve Solvet.
Predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Pokatilov; Zedadka, Dashdamirov, McCarthy, Puchacz; Rakhmonaliev, Lepinjica; Parris, Simic, Nwachukwu; Mickels
Unavailable: Aliyev (Injured), Solvet (Injured)
Questionable:
Slavia Prague team news: Konecny suspended
Prior to taking the lead for the first time, Mikulas Konecny has been sent off for Slavia and so is now missing through suspension for the Czechs. Pavel Kacor is a confirmed injury absentee with Bryan Ouanda also a doubt once again.
Predicted XI (3-4-2-1): Markovic; Kristan, Zima, Chaloupek; Isife, Sadilek, Nowak, Kubiak; Ayaosi, Sturm; Chytil
Unavailable: Konecny (Suspended), Kacor (Injured)
Questionable: Ouanda (Injured)
Sabah vs Slavia Prague prediction
Sabah showed some enterprise against Manchester United as they seek to emulate the success that compatriots Qarabag enjoyed in this competition by reaching the knockout play-off round with a similarly proactive style of football. Slavia themselves showed some promise and attacking endeavour, too, in that defeat to Lens so, while the Czechs are favourites, it may be a reasonably fun watch for the neutral in Baku.
Sabah vs Slavia Prague Tip: Slavia Prague to win & both teams to score
