The match of matchday 8 of the 2025/26 Champions League group stage between Pafos (Cyprus) and Slavia Prague (Czech Republic) will take place on 28 January at Limassol Arena. Pafos vs Slavia Prague: prediction, betting odds and statistics.
Pafos
Pafos started the Champions League group stage with one defeat in their first five matches, but it became harder to maintain that level afterwards. The home team lost two consecutive European matches in winter, and both defeats came without scoring. Last week the hosts failed to produce a sensation away at Chelsea (0:1). Now the club has only one win in seven group-stage rounds of the Champions League. The current winless run in this European competition is three matches (1 draw, 2 defeats). Despite modest results, the home team can still reach the playoffs: two points are needed to reach the play-off zone, so the club must win the decisive match and then watch the results of its rivals.
- In the group stage of the Champions League the club has scored a total of 4 goals – this is the worst record along with Slavia Prague.
- At least one team failed to score in 5 of the home side’s last 7 matches in this competition.
- No more than 2 goals were scored in 6 of Pafos’s last 8 Champions League games.
Potential Pafos Lineup
Jay Gorter – Derrick Luckassen, David Luiz, Ken Sema – Bruno, David Goldar, Pepe, Vlad Dragomir – Jaja, Mislav Oršić, Anderson.
The main midfielder Ivan Šunjić is serving a suspension. Defenders João Correia and Pedrão are out with injuries. The participation of defenders David Luiz and David Goldar is in doubt.
Slavia Prague
Slavia Prague has already had an unsuccessful run in the Champions League group stage. The visiting team is among the four clubs that lost their chances to reach the playoffs early. After seven rounds the visitors have not won a single game, collecting only three points in total. The club long alternated defeats and draws, but following the last match with Barcelona Slavia Prague lost for the second time in a row in this season’s Champions League. Overall the visiting team has gone 14 European matches without a win.
- At least one team failed to score in 5 of Slavia Prague’s last 6 Champions League matches.
- Slavia Prague has failed to score in 4 consecutive away matches in this competition.
- The club’s winless run in the Champions League group stage is 18 matches (7 draws, 11 defeats).
Potential Slavia Prague Lineup
Jindřich Staněk – Jan Boril, David Zima, Štěpán Hložek, Youssouf Sané – Michal Sadílek, David Doudera – Mohammed Cham, Vasil Kušej, Lukáš Provod – Tomáš Chorý.
Defenders Tomáš Holeš, Tomáš Vlček and Dominik Javorček, as well as midfielders David Moses and Petr Ševčík, are unavailable due to injuries.
Referee
Tobias Stieler (Germany)
Matches – 5 (International matches, 2025/26);
Yellow/Red Cards Shown (Including Second Yellows) – 20;
Average Yellow/Red Cards Per Match – 4;
Red Cards Shown – 1;
Fouls Per Match On Average – 23;
Penalties – 40%.
Pafos vs Slavia Prague: Match Prediction
This is a meeting of modest teams that show the lowest scoring in the Champions League group stage. Pafos has taken just one win in seven recent rounds, but at the same time the home side has suffered only three defeats. At home the hosts have lost only to Bayern, and in their last six Champions League home matches that was the only occasion when the club failed to take at least a draw.
Slavia Prague has not won any of its seven previous group-stage matches in this European competition. Unlike Pafos, the visitors no longer have tournament motivation, as they cannot fight for a place in the playoffs. Previously, even with the most serious intent the squad collected only 3 points from a possible 21, scoring a total of just 4 goals.
Most likely we will see a tight game that is unlikely to provide many goals. The forecast is a win for Pafos or a draw combined with under 3.5 goals.
Prediction: Pafos Or Draw + Under 3.5 goals
