Overview
Fortuna Arena will be the venue for an exciting match in the Champions League, when Slavia Prague face Bodo/Glimt in the group stage.
The Czech representative returned to the group stage after last appearing in the 2019-2020 season, while Bodo/Glimt made their first appearance in history on the most prestigious stage in Europe.
Slavia Prague has closed the 2024-2025 domestic season with the championship, thereby qualifying directly for the group stage of the Champions League this season.
Last season, they were only in the Europa League and disappointed with 1 win out of 8 matches, finishing 30th in the League Phase. In his most recent participation in the Champions League (2019-2020), Slavia was in the same group as Inter Milan, Dortmund and Barcelona.
In the group stage of the 2025-2026 season, coach Jindrich Trpisovsky's team will have to face a series of strong opponents such as Inter Milan, Atalanta, Arsenal, Athletic Bilbao, Tottenham Hotspur, Barcelona and FC Pa fos. However, Slavia is considered capable of creating many difficulties for these "big guys".
Domestically, Slavia is having an impressive start to the 2025-2026 season with 20 points after 8 rounds, leading the rankings. They entered this match in good form after 3 consecutive victories, including defeating Karvina 3-1 last weekend.
Meanwhile, Bodo/Glimt entered the Champions League campaign as the reigning Eliteserien champions. However, last season's championship was only enough to help them qualify for the play-off round instead of going straight to the group stage.
In the decisive round, the Norwegian representative excellently defeated Sturm Graz with a total score of 6-2. They created a big advantage with a 5-0 home win before accepting a 1-2 defeat in the second leg, but still managed to make it to the group stage.
In the domestic league, coach Kjetil Knutsen's team still maintains impressive form. After 21 matches at Eliteserien this season, Bodo/Glimt have 48 points, leading the rankings and 2 points ahead of the team chasing Viking despite playing the same number of matches.
Last season, Bodo/Glimt created a surprise when they reached the Europa League semi-finals, before Tottenham blocked their dream of a final. This time, they will officially have a place in the Champions League group stage for the first time in history.
Notably, the match at Fortuna Arena will also mark the first match in the Champions League group stage between a Czech representative and a Norwegian team.
Personnel situation
Slavia Prague will enter this match without the services of Dominik Javorcek and Emmanuel Fully due to injury. In addition, the home team still maintains a fairly stable force.
Lukas Provod is almost certain to feature up front, while Christos Zafeiris are also likely to start. In addition, Lukasvorlicky is making a strong impression with 2 goals in the last three appearances.
On the opposite side, Bodo/Glimt suffered more losses. Brede Moe, Fredrik Bjorkan, Olerik Blomberg, Kasper Hogh and Isak Maatta have all been ruled out due to injury, while Ulrik Saltnes and Ola Brynhildsen are also doubtful.
Notably, Hogh's absence will be a heavy loss, because this striker has scored 26 goals this season. Saltnes, their second top scorer, is also uncertain to recover, putting Bodo/Glimt at risk of a significant shortage of attacking firepower.
Expected lineup:
Slavia Prague: Stanek, Chaloupek, Zima, Holes, Hashioka, Dorley, Provod, Zmrzly,vorlicky, Chytil, Zafeiris.
Bodo/Glimt: Haikin, Sjovold, Bjortuft, Gundersen, Riisnaes, Evjen, Berg, Auklend, Jorgensen, Helmersen, Hauge.
The match between Slavia Prague and Bodo/Glimt takes place at 23:45 on September 17 (Vietnam time).
