Slavia Prague vs Athletic Bilbao Prediction: Stalemate looks to be the smart play

Slavia Prague welcome Athletic Bilbao to Fortuna Arena on Tuesday (20:00 GMT, TNT Sports 7) in the Uefa Champions League. Neither side has started the league phase particularly well, and we are at the stage now where they need to start putting points on the board if they wish to progress.

Below you will find my Slavia Prague vs Athletic Bilbao predictions, supported by the latest team news and match odds.

Team News

Slavia Prague have several injury concerns heading into this clash, with Dominik Javorcek (knee) sidelined, while Filip Horsky remains out of action with a cruciate ligament ailment and is not due back until some point in 2026.

Oscar Dorley is trying to shake off a knock and he too will miss out, while Petr Sevcik is unavailable with a knee injury.

With two goals in Europe so far this season, which both came in the home draw with Bodo/Glimt, defender Youssoupha Mbodji is set to feature in the starting XI, hoping to have a similar impact.

Football Odds

Benat Prados and Unai Eguiluz remain absent for Bilbao with both players suffering from cruciate ligament injuries. Maroan Sannadi is also unavailable following meniscus surgery.

Forward Inaki Williams is unlikely to be involved in this contest due to an abductor issue in his right leg. Yeray Alvarez is serving a long-term suspension and will have no part to play here.

The influential Oihan Sancet returned from injury against Barcelona but was sent off in the weekend defeat. He is able to feature in this game, however.

Today's Football Fixtures

Slavia Prague vs Athletic Bilbao Odds

Slavia Prague are 15/8 to come out on top here, and they have lost just once at home this season across the Czech First League and Champions League.

The draw is marketed at 11/5 (implied probability of 31.3%), which the hosts have experienced twice in Europe this term.

Bilbao have won one of their four matches in this competition and they are 7/5 to come away with the three points on Tuesday.

BTTS - Yes has struck in two of the visitors' fixtures in the UCL this campaign and this market is on offer at 8/11 on this occasion.

Match Result - Draw @ 11/5

Neither side has particularly impressed in the first four games of the league phase but now that we are into the second half of this stage, they need to start putting points on the board if they want to progress automatically or via the play-offs.

Bilbao may have lost three matches but they have something the hosts don't have so far - a win. That one result has them above Slavia Prague, who have equally drawn and lost their opening fixtures in this competition.

The hosts have been a tough nut to crack at home this term and this will be a tough place for Bilbao to go too. The visitors, however, do have individual talent they can call on to be the difference in this fixture.

I think the most sensible outcome to back here is the draw, purely off the basis that neither team is yet to convince they will be pushing towards the top end of the standings.

Both Teams To Score - Yes @ 8/11

This does look like it will be a cagey affair but I think backing both teams to get on the scoresheet is another smart play for Tuesday. BTTS - Yes has landed in two of Bilbao's four outings in the Champions League this season, while it has struck in just one of Slavia Prague's European encounters.

That did come on home soil, though as they played out a 2-2 draw with Bodo/Glimt on matchday one.

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