Slavia Prague vs Malmo FF Prediction: Only pride to play for in Czech capital

The final round of Uefa Europa League fixtures is upon us but there will be no further action in this competition after this round for Slavia Prague and Malmo FF who have already been eliminated following a miserable campaign. The pair are locked on four points after seven matches and there is little left to play for in this encounter at the Fortuna Arena on Thursday (20:00, discovery+), so this looks a tough match to call with both sides in the midst of their winter break.

Having said that, a lively contest could unfold eventually and there may be scope to back at least three goals being scored in this final fixture. Read on for my Slavia Prague vs Malmo FF prediction, alongside all the latest team news and match odds.

Team News

Slavia's medical room is bursting at the seams, and they are also struggling to come to terms with the loss of goalkeeper Antonin Kinsky to Tottenham earlier this month.

Jakub Markovic was brought in to replace Kinsky, but he is not registered to play in European competition, and with backup option Jindrich Stanek ruled out, Czech veteran Ales Mandous is set to start again after featuring in the 2-0 loss to PAOK Salonika last week.

David Doudera is suspended and Ivan Schranz and Jan Boril are set to miss out through illness, while Lukas Provod, Lukas Vorlicky and Tomas Vlcek are injured. In-form striker Tomas Chory should start after returning to the matchday squad last week.

Football Odds

Anders Christiansen is suspended for Malmo, while veteran defenders Pontus Jansson and Anton Tinnerholm are both out, along with Sead Haksabanovic.

Stefano Holmquist Vecchia is out with a back issue, and first-choice striker Isaac Kiese Thelin is doubtful with a minor knock.

Slavia Prague vs Malmo Odds

Slavia Prague are warm favourites at 4/7 for victory, implying a 63.6% win probability, with Malmo 9/2 (18.2%) and the draw 100/30.

The only previous meetings between these two finished 3-1 and 2-1 in Slavia's favour and it is 15/8 that the Czech side come out on top once again in a match in which both teams score. Over 2.5 goals is an 8/13 shot.

Slavia Prague to win & both teams score @ 15/8

This final fixture represents little more than a run-out for these two sides who can make no further progress in the competition following miserable campaigns, but it may be worth siding with Slavia to win a contest in which both teams get on the scoresheet.

That was the outcome when these two last met back in 1996 of this competition, then known as the Uefa Cup, and a similar outcome looks likely this week, as four of Malmo's last six Europa League away results were defeats in which both teams scored.

And goals have been a regular theme for the Swedish champions, who have seen both teams score in five of their last six fixtures in this competition.

Slavia have lost their last two Europa League home games by a 2-1 scoreline but they can get back on track by reversing that result and it looks like a solid option for correct score punters.

Tomas Chory first goalscorer @ 5/1

Slavia Prague haven't scored in their last two matches but their last goalscorer was Tomas Chory and he looks capable of opening the scoring on Thursday.

Chory has bagged 12 times in 29 matches this term and has scored three goals in six matches in this competition.

The Czech striker has plundered four goals in his last seven outings and should be backed to continue his warm streak this week.

Offers

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