Slavia Prague v RC Lens: Champions League opener, kick-off time and how to watch

Slavia Prague and RC Lens begin their UEFA Champions League 2026-27 league-phase campaigns against one another on Thursday, 10 September, with both sides aiming to make a strong start to the competition.

The match will be played at the Eden Arena in Prague, with kick-off scheduled for 19:00 GMT. It is the first official meeting between the two clubs in European competition, meaning neither side has faced the other in the UEFA Champions League, UEFA Europa League or UEFA Europa Conference League.

Viewers can watch the match through the following broadcasters:

– France: Canal+ – Czechia: Nova Sport / Premier Sport – Belgium: RTL Play / Proximus Pickx – Switzerland: Blue Sport – United Kingdom: TNT Sports – United States: Paramount+ / CBS Sports – Canada: DAZN – Sub-Saharan Africa: Canal+ Afrique / SuperSport – Portugal: Sport TV / DAZN – Germany: DAZN / Amazon Prime Video – Netherlands: Ziggo Sport

Slavia Prague go into the fixture with considerable confidence after recording two convincing league victories in succession. They beat Sparta Prague 3-0 before following that result with a 4-0 win over Zbrojovka Brno.

Those results underline the Czech side’s form at both ends of the pitch. Slavia Prague have scored freely while maintaining a strong defensive record, and they are currently top of their domestic championship. Their record since the start of the season stands at five wins and two draws.

RC Lens, by contrast, arrive in Prague after a difficult run of results. The French side lost 2-1 to Strasbourg and then suffered another defeat in their most recent match, going down 1-0 against Lorient. That game was also marked by the sending-off of Sagnan.

The Sang et Or will therefore need to respond quickly as they move into European competition. Lens are currently 10th in Ligue 1, having recorded one victory and suffered two defeats.

Slavia Prague are regarded as slight favourites for the opening league-phase fixture. Their recent attacking form at home, combined with Lens’ back-to-back defeats, has led to expectations that the Czech club could claim all three points at the Eden Arena.

However, the anticipated margin is narrow. RC Lens are considered to have a quality squad capable of making the contest competitive, despite their recent setbacks.

The Africafoot prediction is a 2-1 win for Slavia Prague.

Betting company 1xbet has listed Slavia Prague at odds of 2.50 to win, while a draw is priced at 3.60 and a victory for RC Lens at 2.65. The match is the first fixture of the UEFA Champions League league phase for both clubs, and the outcome will give each team an early indication of its prospects in the competition.