Sabah Baku vs Slavia Prague Prediction & Tips | Champions League - League phase | FootballTips.app

Sabah FK and Slavia Prague meet as both sides still search for their first points in the Champions League league phase. Sabah opened with a 4-0 defeat away to Manchester United, while Slavia were beaten 3-2 at home by Lens despite a brace from Danijel Šturm.

Sabah’s debut at this level exposed the step up, with Manchester United generating 3.71 expected goals against them. Their home record offers more encouragement, however, with four wins from four Champions League qualifying matches at Bank Respublika Arena, 12 goals scored and only two conceded.

Slavia’s European record is far less reassuring. They are winless in their last 20 Champions League matches, drawing seven and losing 13, and are still searching for their first away win in the competition proper after 10 attempts.

The Czech side do arrive in considerably stronger form. They have won four straight in all competitions since losing to Lens and prepared with a 1-0 away win at Zlín, while Sabah were held to a 0-0 draw by Neftçi in their most recent domestic outing.

Šturm is the obvious danger after scoring twice and creating four chances against Lens on matchday one. Sabah, meanwhile, will look to Ivan Lepinjica for control in midfield after he regained possession 10 times at Old Trafford, one of the strongest ball-winning returns of the opening round.

This looks far more balanced than either side’s opening fixture. Sabah’s home strength and Slavia’s long winless run in the Champions League should keep the hosts competitive, but the visitors’ higher attacking output and recent form give them a narrow edge.