Slavia’s momentum meets Lens’ wounded defence: prediction for Slavia Prague vs Lens - 10.09.2026
Slavia Prague and Lens will open their 2026/27 Champions League league-phase campaigns on Thursday, September 10, at Fortuna Arena. The Czech champions arrive with momentum and home advantage, while Lens travel to Prague after a difficult week in Ligue 1 and with several defensive selection issues to solve. Kick-off is scheduled for 21:00 local time.
Slavia Prague: seven unanswered goals and a growing injury list
Jindřich Trpišovský's team could hardly have prepared for Europe in better form. Slavia first produced an emphatic 3-0 derby victory away to Sparta and followed it with another statement performance, beating Zbrojovka Brno 4-0 at Fortuna Arena. Tomáš Chorý, making his first league start of the season, scored twice, while Emmanuel Ayaosi and the returning David Jurásek completed the scoring. Slavia therefore enter Thursday's game on the back of seven unanswered goals in their last two league fixtures.
Chorý's return to the starting eleven is particularly important. The Czech striker remains one of Slavia's main reference points against deep defensive lines, both because of his physical presence and his value at set pieces. Danijel Šturm and Ayaosi have also given Trpišovský more dynamism around the penalty area, while Wiktor Nowak has established himself as another important option in midfield.
The problem is the injury situation. David Zima was forced off against Zbrojovka after being hit in the head and Trpišovský said the defender had probably suffered a mild concussion. Lukáš Provod also left early with significant swelling around the ankle and a suspected ligament injury. The coach additionally confirmed problems for David Moses and Adonija Ouanda, while Tomáš Holeš is also not expected to be ready. With Zima and Provod still awaiting definitive clearance, Slavia may have to begin their Champions League campaign without several players who would normally be candidates for the starting eleven.
Lens: attacking quality remains, but the defence is under pressure
Lens have had a much less stable start to their domestic campaign. Dino Toppmöller's team opened Ligue 1 with an impressive 5-2 victory over Auxerre, but then lost 2-1 at Strasbourg before suffering a 1-0 home defeat against Lorient. Against the latter, Lens had plenty of possession but struggled badly in the final third, with the club itself describing the performance as lacking inspiration and technical accuracy.
The French side still possess plenty of individual quality going forward. Florian Thauvin offers creativity and experience, Abdallah Sima gives them pace and direct running, while Thorgan Hazard, Odsonne Édouard and Franjo Ivanović provide Toppmöller with several different attacking combinations. Slavia coach Trpišovský specifically highlighted Lens' speed, dynamism and extremely quick transitions after turnovers as their biggest weapons.
However, the defensive situation is much more complicated. Maik Nawrocki has suffered a complete ACL rupture and will be absent for several months. Matthieu Udol, who was substituted early against Lorient, is now listed as doubtful with a thigh problem, while Yacine Titraoui is also a fitness doubt. Samson Baidoo and Saud Abdulhamid have recently been unavailable through injury, and Jean-Clair Todibo has only recently returned to team training and is still building match fitness.
That makes Prague a difficult place for Lens to rediscover their balance. They are capable of hurting Slavia when the game becomes stretched, but the hosts' pressing, set-piece strength and current confidence could repeatedly test a back line that may once again have to be reshuffled.
Probable lineups
- Slavia Prague: Markovič – Konečný, Vlček, Chaloupek – Isife, Sadílek, Nowak, Jurásek – Ayaosi, Šturm – Chorý.
- Lens: Risser – Antonio, Ganiou, Sagnan – Aguilar, Haidara, Cuisance, Skóraś – Thauvin, Sima, Hazard.
Both Champions League squads have been officially registered, with Trpišovský remaining in charge of Slavia and Toppmöller leading Lens. The proposed elevens remain subject to late fitness assessments, particularly around Slavia's Zima and Provod and Lens' Udol and Titraoui.
Match facts
- Slavia have won their last two league matches with an aggregate score of 7-0.
- Slavia beat Zbrojovka 4-0 in their final match before the Champions League opener.
- Lens have lost their last two Ligue 1 matches, against Strasbourg and Lorient.
- Lens have conceded in each of their first three Ligue 1 matches this season.
- This is the opening Champions League league-phase fixture for both teams.
Slavia’s rhythm should create chances, but Lens have the weapons to make it open
Slavia look like the more settled team at the moment. Two convincing victories, seven goals and two clean sheets have given Trpišovský's side considerable momentum, and Fortuna Arena should only increase the pressure on a Lens defence dealing with injuries and changes. Chorý's physical presence can be especially problematic for a French back line that has already conceded five times in its opening three Ligue 1 fixtures.
At the same time, backing Slavia outright looks less appealing because their own personnel situation is far from ideal. Zima and Provod are major doubts and several other important players are unavailable. Lens may be struggling for results, but Thauvin, Sima and Hazard offer enough speed and technical quality to exploit those absences, particularly in transition.
The combination points toward an open match rather than a cautious Champions League opener. Slavia are playing with confidence and should create enough opportunities at home, while Lens' attacking quality makes them capable of contributing even after two disappointing domestic results. Three or more goals looks like the most attractive scenario.
Prediction: Over 2.5 goals.
