Slavia Prague vs Union Saint-Gilloise Prediction: Slavia Prague is expected to secure a narrow 2-1 victory over Union Saint-Gilloise in their Champions League qualifier, leveraging their home advantage and recent form.
The UEFA Champions League third qualifying round kicks off with an intriguing matchup as Czech runners-up Slavia Prague host Belgian Cup winners Union Saint-Gilloise. This first leg encounter at Fortuna Arena in Prague promises to be a closely contested affair between two ambitious sides looking to take a step closer to the group stages.
Match Details
| Date: | August 7, 2024 |
| Time: | 6:00 PM local time (5:00 PM BST) |
| Venue: | Fortuna Arena, Prague |
Slavia Prague vs Union Saint-Gilloise Lineups, Injury and Team News
Slavia Prague
Jindrich Trpisovsky’s side comes into this match with a strong start to their domestic campaign, having won two and drawn one of their opening three league fixtures without conceding a goal. However, they face some selection dilemmas ahead of this crucial European tie.
Potential absentees:
- Vaclav Jurecka (contract dispute)
- Conrad Wallem (transfer speculation)
Projected Slavia Prague Lineup (4-2-3-1): Masopust, Provod, Ogbu, Holes, Boril, Diouf, Chytil, Schranz, Kinsky, Wallem, Dorley
Slavia will likely rely on the goalscoring prowess of Ivan Schranz and Mojmir Chytil, who were key figures in their Europa League campaign last season.
Union Saint-Gilloise
The Belgian side enters this fixture on the back of a positive start to their season, having won the Belgian Super Cup and secured their first league victory last Friday. However, manager Sebastien Pocognoli must contend with some defensive absences.
Confirmed absentees:
- Ross Sykes (injury)
- Christian Burgess (injury)
- Loic Lapoussin (transfer request)
Projected Union Saint-Gilloise Lineup (3-5-2): Castro-Montes, Eckert, Sadiki, Teklab, Leysen, Kabangu, Moris, Machida, Ait El-Hadj, Mac Allister, Puertas
Cameron Puertas, Union’s top scorer in European competition last season, will be crucial to their attacking efforts.
Form Guide
Slavia Prague
- Czech First League: D-W-W
- Pre-season: 4 wins, 1 loss
Union Saint-Gilloise
- Belgian Pro League: D-W
- Other competitions: W (Belgian Super Cup)
Head-to-Head
This will be the first-ever meeting between Slavia Prague and Union Saint-Gilloise in a competitive fixture.
Key Battle: Midfield Control
The midfield battle between Slavia’s Conrad Wallem and Oscar Dorley against Union’s Lazare Amani and Cameron Puertas could prove decisive. Whichever pair can assert dominance in the center of the park will likely give their team the upper hand.
European Pedigree
Slavia Prague has more recent experience at this level, having topped their Europa League group last season before falling to AC Milan in the round of 16. Union Saint-Gilloise, meanwhile, impressed in their debut European campaign, reaching the Europa League quarter-finals.
Managers’ Thoughts
Jindrich Trpisovsky (Slavia Prague): “We respect Union’s achievements, but we’re confident in our abilities at home. Our goal is to secure a positive result to take to Belgium.”
Sebastien Pocognoli (Union Saint-Gilloise): “Slavia is a tough opponent with a strong European record. We’ll need to be at our best to get a good result in Prague.”
Where to Watch
Unfortunately, no broadcast information is currently available for viewers in the United States. Fans should check their local listings closer to kickoff time.
Slavia Prague vs Union Saint-Gilloise Live Streaming and TV Schedule
- Belgium: RTL Play, VTM GO, Club RTL, VTM 2
- Czech Republic: Nova Sport 1
- Portugal: Canal 11
- Slovakia: Voyo, Nova Sport 1
Who Will Win?
Given Slavia Prague’s strong home record in European competition and Union Saint-Gilloise’s defensive absentees, the Czech side may have a slight edge. However, Union’s recent form suggests they won’t be pushovers.
Predicted Score: Slavia Prague 2-1 Union Saint-Gilloise
This narrow victory for the hosts would set up an intriguing second leg in Belgium next week, with everything still to play for in the race for a Champions League playoff spot.
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