The Matchday 1 clash of the 2025/26 Champions League group stage between Slavia Prague (Czech Republic) and Bodø/Glimt (Norway) will take place on September 17 at the Eden Arena. Slavia Prague vs. Bodø/Glimt: prediction and betting odds, statistics.
Slavia Prague
The Czech champions received a direct ticket to the Champions League group stage. This will be the third time in their history that the team participates in the main stage, and in the two previous occasions, they did not advance to the playoffs. Last season, Slavia failed to overcome the final qualifying round in the Champions League and ended up in the Europa League. There, Jindřich Trpišovský's side did not achieve success: after a win in the first round, they failed to win in the next seven matches (2 draws, 5 losses), ultimately finishing in 30th place.
- The team has conceded in 5 of their last 7 Champions League matches.
- At home, Slavia has not lost in 10 of their last 13 Champions League matches, securing 5 wins.
- Prague has opened the scoring in 4 of their last 5 games in this tournament.
Predicted lineup for Slavia Prague (4-3-3)
Ondřej Kolář – Štěpán Hloušek, Tomáš Holeš, David Doudera, David Zima – Oscar Dorley, Christos Zafeiris, Michal Sadílek – Lukáš Provod, Tomáš Chorý, Vasil Kušej.
Defenders Jan Bořil and Igo Ogbu are injured.
Bodø/Glimt
After winning the Norwegian championship, Kjetil Knutsen's side began their Champions League journey with the playoff matches, where they overcame Sturm (5-0, 1-2). Thus, the team reached the main stage of this tournament for the first time in their history, and Norwegian clubs have not reached this stage since the 2007/08 season. On the international stage, Bodø/Glimt made a splash. In the last Europa League edition, the team reached the semi-finals, where they lost to the eventual winners. Again, no representative from this Scandinavian country had previously reached the semi-finals of a UEFA tournament. In the Champions League, the Norwegians have won 6 of their last 8 matches (2 losses).
- At least 3 goals have been scored in 7 of Bodø/Glimt's last 9 Champions League games.
- The club conceded exactly 1 or 2 goals in 6 of their last 7 away matches in this tournament.
- Away in the Champions League, the team has not won in 7 of their last 9 matches (1 draw, 6 losses).
Predicted lineup for Bodø/Glimt (4-3-3)
Nikita Haikin – Fredrik Bjørkan, Villads Nielsen, Jostein Gundersen, Odin Bjørtuft – Patrick Berg, Sondre Euklen, Håkon Evjen – Mathias Jørgensen, Jens Petter Hauge, Andreas Helmersen.
Injured players include defenders Brede Moe, Fredrik Bjørkan, midfielder Ulrik Saltnes, forwards Ole Blomberg, Isak Määttä, and Ola Brynhildsen.
Referee
Marian Barbu (Romania)
Matches – 13 (International matches, 2024/25–2025/26);
Yellow cards shown (including second yellows) – 43;
Average yellow cards per match – 3.3;
Red cards shown – 1;
Average fouls per match – 25;
Penalties – 31%.
Slavia Prague vs. Bodø/Glimt: Match Prediction
In the last Europa League edition, Prague looked weak even at home, but the team scored in all four home matches. However, only in one game at home did Jindřich Trpišovský's side concede less than two goals. A similar pattern is seen with Slavia in the Champions League. The team generally strives for attacking football in all tournaments.
The Norwegians have already shown the power of their attack in this Champions League, thrashing Sturm. But the team was known for good scoring last season, scoring in 13 of 16 matches in the Europa League. However, their commitment to attacking football has negatively impacted their defense. In the 2024/25 Europa League, Bodø/Glimt had only three clean sheets. In the Champions League, the club also regularly concedes, managing to keep a clean sheet in only one of their last 9 away matches.
Two teams that spend a lot of time attacking should deliver a high-scoring match. My prediction: Both teams to score – yes
