Contents
- Competition: Champions League
- Date: 10th September 2026
- Kick-off: 20:00 UK / 21:00 CEST
- Venue: Fortuna Arena
The Champions League is back. This time, Slavia Prague welcomes Lens for a spicy, long-awaited rematch. They haven't played since 1995. Slavia holds the historic edge, but past stats won't save them here. Lens is playing aggressive, high-pressing football lately, and frankly, I love watching them transition. They play without fear. Slavia is tough to break down at home, though. It’s going to be absolute chaos in the midfield. In this preview we look at history, recent form and best betting angles.
Slavia Prague holds the narrow historical edge over Lens, winning one of their only two competitive meetings back in 1995, with the other ending in a draw. Those UEFA Cup ties were incredibly cagey, producing just one goal overall. A lot has changed since then, making this modern rematch completely unpredictable.
Slavia Prague team overview
Slavia Prague prepares for this one on the back of a dominant 4–0 victory against Zbrojovka Brno. The Red and Whites look sharp, bouncing back perfectly after a tough Champions League league phase run last season where they struggled with five losses.
Jindřich Trpišovský's men remain undefeated through seven domestic fixtures, accumulating 17 points to claim the top spot in the Chance Liga.
At the Fortuna Arena, their home record is formidable; the squad boasts three wins and a draw this season, maintaining an impressive unbeaten streak.
Main man Tomáš Chorý has been absolute fire, contributing two goals in his last match. Aside from Igoh Ogbu's Achilles injury, the roster is fully loaded. I think their relentless home intensity will honestly prove way too overwhelming for Lens.
Last matches of Slavia Praha
-
Slavia Praha
4 : 0
Zbrojovka Brno
Chance Liga
-
Sparta Prague
0 : 3
Slavia Praha
Chance Liga
-
Slavia Praha
2 : 2
Bohemians 1905
Chance Liga
-
Slovan Liberec
1 : 1
Slavia Praha
Chance Liga
-
Slavia Praha
2 : 1
Pardubice
Chance Liga
Slavia Praha lineup
Goalkeeper
-
35
Jakub Markovič
Defenders
-
3
Tomáš Holeš
-
4
David Zima
-
2
Štěpán Chaloupek
-
21
David Douděra
-
39
David Jurásek
Midfielders
-
23
Michal Sadílek
-
19
Oscar Dorley
-
17
Lukáš Provod
Forwards
-
26
Ivan Schranz
-
25
Tomáš Chorý
Lens team overview
Lens enters this one on the back of a frustrating 1–0 loss to FC Lorient. The Blood and Gold are desperate for a reset after an underwhelming European campaign last year that saw them entirely miss out on continental knockout football.
Dino Toppmöller's men have endured a mixed start to their domestic season, banking one high-scoring win but dropping two consecutive games to accumulate just 3 points from their opening three Ligue 1 fixtures.
Their form on the road has been particularly concerning, with the team boasting only one win from their last eight away games across all competitions.
Freshly appointed captain Florian Thauvin is the shining light here, already carrying the attack with an impressive 3 goals and 1 assist.
Defensively, Maik Nawrocki's devastating ACL injury leaves them incredibly thin at the back. I honestly think their current traveling blues will make this a miserable night in Prague.
Last matches of RC Lens
-
RC Lens
0 : 1
Lorient
Ligue 1
-
Strasbourg
2 : 1
RC Lens
Ligue 1
-
RC Lens
5 : 2
Auxerre
Ligue 1
-
RC Lens
1 : 0
PSG
Super Cup
-
RC Lens
0 : 2
Sunderland
Club Friendlies 3
RC Lens lineup
Goalkeeper
-
1
Régis Gurtner
Defenders
-
24
Jonathan Gradit
-
6
Samson Baidoo
-
4
Nidal Čelik
-
2
Ruben Aguilar
-
13
Jhoanner Chávez
Midfielders
-
21
Amadou Haïdara
-
27
Michaël Cuisance
-
9
Thorgan Hazard
Forwards
-
10
Florian Thauvin
-
11
Odsonne Édouard
Prediction
I don’t care how sharp Slavia is at home. Lens is incredibly stubborn, and honestly, a cagey European opener always screams a stalemate to me. Expect both managers to prioritize defensive stability. Slavia will strike first. The Blood and Gold may hit back late through a Thauvin moment of magic.
Three reasons we expect under 2.5 goals in this game
- Slavia Praha conceded more than one goal in only one of their last six home encounters.
- Lens scored only one goal across their last two encounters.
- None of the previous two meetings between Slavia Prague and Lens produced over 2.5 goals.
Main prediction Slavia Praha - RC Lens
Under 2.5 goals
Best Odds:
Slavia Praha vs RC Lens standings in Champions League
| League Stage | P | W | D | L |
G - A
|
GD | Pts | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Manchester City | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 - 0 | +2 | 3 |
| 2 | Aston Villa | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 3 - 2 | +1 | 3 |
| 3 | Real Betis | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 3 - 2 | +1 | 3 |
| 4 | Borussia Dortmund | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 3 - 2 | +1 | 3 |
| 5 | Real Madrid | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 - 1 | +1 | 3 |
| 6 | AEK Athens | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 - 0 | +1 | 3 |
| 7 | Arsenal | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 - 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 8 | FC Barcelona | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 - 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 9 | RB Leipzig | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 - 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 10 | Paris Saint Germain | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 - 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 11 | Como | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 - 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 12 | Galatasaray | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 - 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 13 | Roma | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 - 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 14 | Shakhtar Donetsk | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 - 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 15 | Lens | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 - 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 16 | Viking | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 - 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 17 | Sporting CP | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 - 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 18 | FC Bayern München | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 - 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 19 | Sabah | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 - 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 20 | Fenerbahçe | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 - 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 21 | Bodø / Glimt | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 - 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 22 | Napoli | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 - 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 23 | Slovan Bratislava | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 - 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 24 | Slavia Praha | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 - 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 25 | Feyenoord | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 - 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 26 | PSV | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 - 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 27 | Atlético de Madrid | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 - 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 28 | Manchester United | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 - 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 29 | VfB Stuttgart | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 - 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 30 | Liverpool | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 - 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 31 | Villarreal | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 2 - 3 | -1 | 0 |
| 32 | LOSC Lille | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 2 - 3 | -1 | 0 |
| 33 | Club Brugge | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 2 - 3 | -1 | 0 |
| 34 | Inter | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 - 2 | -1 | 0 |
| 35 | LASK | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 - 1 | -1 | 0 |
| 36 | Porto | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 - 2 | -2 | 0 |