Fenerbahce vs Slavia Prague is the early game on Tuesday 20 October, and Slavia have a happy memory of Istanbul. Their only previous visit, in February 2022, ended in a 3-2 win. Fenerbahce have one point from two games and the highest-scoring attack in Turkey. Slavia are unbeaten in the Czech league and pointless in Europe.
Fenerbahçe
Slavia PragueFenerbahce's first Champions League season since 2008/09
Getting here took a play-off against Lyon: 1-1 in Istanbul, then a 2-1 win in France with goals from Vedat Muriqi and Archie Brown, 3-2 on aggregate. It was the first time since 2008/09 that the club had come through qualifying.
More than 40,000 turned up for the opening night against Roma. Bryan Cristante put Roma ahead before half-time and Brown equalised three minutes after the restart for a 1-1 draw. That's two big goals in two big games for Brown, who isn't even one of the forwards.
Then it got strange. Ismail Kartal announced his resignation at the post-match press conference, president Aziz Yildirim refused to accept it, and Kartal was back at work within two days.
FenerbahçeSlavia PragueIn the Super Lig they're fourth after seven games, with four wins, a draw and two defeats, and nobody in the division has scored more. The problem is the calendar. Fenerbahce visit Aston Villa on Wednesday night and host Alanyaspor at the weekend, so this is three games in seven days and Kartal may rotate. Jayden Oosterwolde and Mert Muldur were listed as sidelined before the Villa trip. The full schedule is on UEFA's fixtures page.
Slavia's two defeats, and why they're better than that
Jindrich Trpisovsky's side top the Czech First League after ten games, with eight wins and two draws, six points clear. They host Hradec Kralove on Saturday before flying out.
Europe has gone badly. They led Lens at home on Matchday 1 and lost 3-2 to a late goal. Then on 13 October they lost 2-0 in Baku to Sabah, who were recording their first-ever Champions League win, Kaheem Parris scoring early in the second half and Joy-Lance Mickels adding a late second. Slavia had the better chances on expected goals that night, so I'd call that one harsh. They still have zero points.
The three previous meetings
In the 2022 Conference League knockout play-off, Slavia won 3-2 in Istanbul on 17 February and 3-2 again in Prague a week later, Yira Sor scoring twice in the return, to go through 6-4. Fenerbahce got one back on 28 November 2024 in the Europa League: Tomas Chory gave Slavia an early lead in Prague, Edin Dzeko equalised, and Youssef En-Nesyri won it five minutes from time. This is their first meeting in the Champions League.
Fenerbahce vs Slavia Prague prediction
Fenerbahce have the more dangerous attack and a loud crowd, but tired legs and a possibly rotated side make this closer than the league tables suggest. Slavia are organised and have played better than their results. Both need the points, which should keep it open.
I'll take Fenerbahce 2-1, with Slavia in it until the end.
Quick questions
What time does Fenerbahce vs Slavia Prague kick off?
19:45 in Istanbul, 18:45 in Prague, 17:45 in the UK and 12:45pm ET in the US. It's one of the two early games.
What channel is it on?
In Turkey, TRT and the tabii platform hold the UEFA club competition rights.
TNT Sports 3
Paramount+ US
DAZN Canada
Sony LIV
Stan Sport AU
Canal+ Sport France
DAZN Germany
Sky Go IT
DAZN Portugal
HBO Max BR
DAZN Austria
IQiyi CN
Arena Sport 3 HR
Nova Sport 3 CZIt's also free on our Champions League live streams page shortly before kick-off, with no signup, and in Spanish on Champions League en vivo. Later that night, Porto host PSV (preview) and PSG host Barcelona (preview).
