The UEFA Champions League 2025/2026 League Phase features a critical Matchday 5 fixture as Slavia Praha hosts Athletic Club at the Fortuna Arena. Scheduled for Tuesday, November 25, 2025, this match is a desperate battle for both teams to avoid elimination from European competition entirely. Slavia Praha, the Czech champions, currently sit in 30th position with a meagre 2 points from four matches.
They are without a win in the competition and must secure a home victory to keep their faint hopes of reaching the knockout play-offs (top 24) alive. Athletic Club, the Basque side, are only marginally better off in 27th position with 3 points. The Lions have endured a tough return to the Champions League and are struggling for confidence following a heavy domestic defeat at the weekend. This clash pits Slavia’s excellent domestic form and strong home record against Athletic’s superior individual quality and urgent need to improve their abysmal European away form, setting up a nervous and potentially low-scoring affair.
Match Details
This midweek European encounter is essentially a do-or-die fixture for both teams as they seek a vital three points to stay in the running for a knockout phase berth.
| Detail | Information |
| Competition | UEFA Champions League |
| Phase | League Phase – Matchday 5 |
| Date | Tuesday, November 25, 2025 |
| Kick-off | 8:00 PM GMT (9:00 PM CET) |
| Venue | Fortuna Arena, Prague, Czechia |
Team Form and Analysis for Slavia Praha
Champions League Woes and Domestic Domination
Slavia Praha currently occupies 30th position in the Champions League League Phase standings with 2 points, recording two draws and two losses.
The Czech champions have found the transition back to the Champions League proper difficult, failing to win any of their four matches. They have only scored two goals while conceding eight, highlighting both offensive struggles and defensive fragility in Europe. Their last Champions League home fixture ended in a heavy 3-0 defeat to Arsenal. Despite this, Slavia’s domestic form is outstanding; they currently top the Czech First League table and come into this match on the back of four wins in their last five fixtures, including a confident 3-1 league victory at the weekend. Slavia’s home record in Europe is historically strong, with the loss to Arsenal being only their fourth home European defeat in their last 15 games. Manager Jindřich Trpišovský’s side will rely on their high-energy, high-pressing game and the fierce support of the home crowd to overcome their long-running European winless streak of 11 matches. They face notable absences, including influential midfielder Oscar Dorley and long-term injury concerns for Petr Ševčík and Dominik Javoček.
Key Player: Lukáš Provod
Midfielder Lukáš Provod is the primary creative and attacking force for Slavia Praha. The Czech international has been highly influential in their domestic success, contributing three goal involvements (one goal, two assists) in his last two appearances across all competitions. Provod has a knack for scoring key goals, particularly in the second half of matches. His ability to deliver dangerous set pieces, create chances from wide areas, and push forward from midfield will be crucial for Slavia to break down the resilient Athletic defense and find the goals necessary to secure a vital three points in this must-win home encounter.
Team Form and Analysis for Athletic Club
Champions League Disappointment and Form Slump
Athletic Club currently sits in 27th position in the Champions League League Phase standings with 3 points, a record of one win and three losses.
The Lions are struggling in their return to the Champions League, with their only victory coming against Qarabağ FK. Their European away form is particularly poor, having lost both of their League Phase away matches convincingly—4-1 at Borussia Dortmund and 2-0 at Newcastle United. Overall, Athletic has been winless in their last six European away games. Their domestic form has also deteriorated, arriving in Prague having lost four of their last five competitive fixtures, including a heavy 4-0 hammering by Barcelona at the weekend. Manager Ernesto Valverde is under pressure to turn around the team’s fortunes. Despite the poor form, Athletic still possesses strong individual quality, particularly in attack. Their strategy will involve tactical discipline, strong central midfield stability, and attempting to utilize their wide players on the counter-attack to capitalize on Slavia’s known defensive vulnerabilities. Key absentees include star forward Iñaki Williams (groin injury) and the suspended defender Yeray Álvarez.
Key Player: Robert Navarro
Forward Robert Navarro has been one of the few players to consistently provide an attacking spark for Athletic Club in the Champions League this season. He is known for his ability to contribute goals late in games, having netted all three of his goals this term after the 65th minute, including a strike against Qarabağ FK. In the absence of Iñaki Williams, Navarro’s creativity, runs into the box, and clinical finishing become even more vital. His ability to score from transitional moments will be the primary source of threat for Athletic, who are unlikely to dominate possession in the hostile atmosphere of the Fortuna Arena.
Head-to-Head Record between the Teams
This is only the second time these two clubs have met in European competition, with the Spanish side holding the advantage from their sole previous encounter.
| Metric | Slavia Praha Wins | Draws | Athletic Club Wins |
| Total Competitive Meetings | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Last Meeting (Oct 2024 – UEL League Phase) | Athletic Club 1-0 Slavia Praha (H) | ||
| Slavia Praha Record vs Spanish Opp. | W2, D6, L7 (Overall) |
The only previous competitive meeting between the two sides occurred last season in the UEFA Europa League League Phase, where Athletic Club secured a narrow 1-0 victory at the San Mamés Stadium. Historically, Slavia Praha has struggled against Spanish opposition, registering only two wins in 15 UEFA encounters (six draws, seven losses). Conversely, Athletic Club is unbeaten in three of their four previous fixtures against Czech opposition (two wins, one draw, one loss), suggesting a slight psychological edge over clubs from Czechia.
Players to Watch
Slavia Praha
- Christos Zafeiris (Central Midfielder): The Greek midfielder is a dynamic presence in the center of the park, responsible for ball winning and providing an energetic link between defense and attack. His performance in the midfield battle will be crucial to initiating Slavia’s high press.
- David Zima (Central Defender): The commanding defender is vital for organizing the Slavia backline, especially against a direct attacking side like Athletic. His aerial strength and leadership will be key to mitigating the threat of crosses and set pieces.
Athletic Club
- Oihan Sancet (Attacking Midfielder): The influential playmaker returned from injury at the weekend and, despite a sending-off in La Liga, is available for this European match. His creativity, vision, and ability to unlock a defense are necessary for breaking down Slavia’s structured defense.
- Nico Williams (Winger): The younger Williams brother provides crucial pace and skill on the flanks. His direct dribbling and crossing ability will be essential for creating chances and exploiting any spaces left by Slavia’s high-flying wing-backs.
Prediction
This match represents a major opportunity for both teams to salvage their Champions League season, yet both enter on a poor run of European form. Slavia Praha’s exceptional domestic form and strong home advantage will give them confidence, but their struggles to score and defend consistently at the Champions League level are undeniable. Athletic Club, despite their recent losses, possess greater individual quality and a decent historical record against Czech clubs. However, their extremely poor European away record makes backing them risky. Given the pressure, the low-scoring history between the two sides, and the similar desperation for points, a nervous, closely fought contest ending in a draw is the most probable result.
Score Prediction: Slavia Praha 1-1 Athletic Club
Live Stream and TV Broadcast Information
This UEFA Champions League League Phase fixture is scheduled for broadcast across various platforms globally.
The match kicks off on Tuesday, November 25, 2025, at 8:00 PM GMT (9:00 PM CET).
In the United Kingdom (UK), the match will be broadcast live on TNT Sports 7 and a live stream will be available on Discovery+.
In the United States (US), the match will be available to watch and stream live on Paramount+.
Check local TV and streaming listings in other regions, as the match will be shown across the UEFA Champions League’s international broadcast partners globally.
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