Slavia Prague vs Ath Bilbao Prediction & Betting Tips (25 November)

30th in the competition after 4 days, Slavia Prague will of course have to do better over the next four days in order to get into the top 24 to participate in the round of 16 in February. Recently, the Czechs were no match for the Arsenal Gunners 0-3. This was already the case in Italy against Inter Milan, a 3-0 defeat. Against Bodo/Glimt 2-2 and Atalanta 0-0, Prague failed to win, thus forcing two draws 2 points. In the championship, after an excellent result gleaned on the Plzen meadow 3-5, Slavia Prague retained its 1st place but played big last weekend against the Bohemians, result to follow. For its part, Athletic Bilbao, like Villarreal, found the queen of European competitions but suffice to say that the marriage did not go as planned.

Starting with a defeat against Arsenal at home 0-2 and a correction in Germany at Signal Iduna Park in Dortmund 4-1, the Basque team had to wait until J3 to win their first match when Qarabag received a 3-1 victory. While we thought they would have continued, the Lions were finally tamed by Newcastle on D4, losing 2-0. This final setback at St. James Park followed two defeats in La Liga against Getafe 0-1 and in the derby against Real Sociedad 3-2. In order to properly prepare for this perilous trip, Ernesto Valverde's men played Barça at the Camp Nou the last weekend result to come. 

The list of players ineligible to participate in the league phase of this Champions League is quite long. We start with Ondrej Zmrzly, midfielder Lukas Vorlicky (2 league goals), replacement goalkeeper Ondrej Kolar and Liberia international Emmanuel Fully. Injured, midfielders Petr Sevcik, Oscar Dorley (Liberian international) and Igoh Ogbu are unavailable, like defender Dominik Javorcek. Absent against Arsenal due to injury, Tomas Holes made his return to the league against Plzen while Ivan Schranz was on deck with Slovakia during the international break. The local international, Chory (5 goals in the league this season), author of a goal and two assists against Gibraltar, will be there and will try to tip the scales in favor of his team.

In addition to Yeray Alvarez suspended for doping, the cruciate ligaments are whistling in the Basque Country since Egiluz and Ben Prados are suffering from this injury. Note the possible withdrawal of the exemplary Sancet, the Moroccan international Sannadi and the executive Inaki Williams (1 goal this season in La Liga). Fortunately for the Lions, pack leader Nico Williams (2 goals in La Liga) will be operational for this trip to the Czech Republic, as will left back Yuri Berchiche (ex-PSG), absent at Newcastle due to an injury. Izeta is not qualified to play the Champions.