Two teams who have a history of struggling in the UEFA Champions League (UCL) and are subsequently without a league phase win in this 2026/27 edition face off when Fenerbahçe welcome Slavia Prague to Istanbul.
Match News and Current Form
Fenerbahçe attracted a lot of unwanted attention on matchday two when they were thrashed 6-0 away to Aston Villa, their second-largest defeat in a European Cup/UCL game and biggest since September 1975 (7-0 to Benfica). It has been a difficult start to their first UCL main draw appearance since 2008/09, with their winless campaign in that season forming part of their nine-game winless run in this competition (D3, L6). That includes four games on home turf (D2, L2), leaving them at risk of going five without a victory in this competition for the first time since a period between 1979 and 1985, but a three-game unbeaten run at home across all competitions (W2, D1) should give them some belief they can break that trend here.
Slavia Prague are close to the bottom of the league phase table after losing their opening two matches, conceding five goals along the way to Sabah Baku (L 2-0 away) and Lens (L 3-2 home). The Czech club have now gone 21 consecutive UCL matches without a victory (D7, L14), the fourth-longest winless run for any one club in the competition’s history, with their defence largely responsible for that dire record after conceding at least two goals in 15 of their 22 UCL matches. Away form in domestic action has been good this season (W5, D1) with the club clear at the top of the Czech Chance Liga, but whether they can transfer that form into this clash remains to be seen.
Head-to-Head History
This will be the fourth H2H. Fenerbahçe won 2-1 during the 2024/25 Europa League, three seasons after Slavia won 3-2 twice in 2021/22 Conference League knockouts, but Slavia have failed to win their last three games against Turkish sides (D2, L1).
Hot Stats and Streaks
None of Fenerbahçe’s last five competitive matches saw both teams score.
Six of Fenerbahçe’s last eight European matches produced under 2.5 goals.
Slavia conceded 2+ goals in each of their last 11 competitive losses.
Only one of Slavia’s last five competitive away games saw both teams score.
Key Players to Watch and Missing Players
Vedat Muriqi has won all six goalscoring appearances for club or country this season including the decisive goal that sent Fenerbahçe into the league phase. He also opened the scoring in four of those games. Slavia’s Lukás Provod set a new club record for most shots (eight) in a UCL game but took his tally to 47 career shots in 29 European matches without a single goal.
Mert Müldür is out for Fenerbahçe, whilst Marco Asensio is doubtful. Stepan Chaloupek is out for Slavia, who may also be without David Jurásek.
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Betting Analysis
There could be value found in backing Fenerbahçe to win with a clean sheet given they didn't concede in any of their last five competitive wins.
Author: Aaron Murphy
