Match preview

Slavia and Malmo both enter matchday eight down on just four points, and would have expected far more from their first taste of the new format.

In particular, Slavia would have been confident in reaching the next round given their recent record in Europe, and the start they made to this season's competition.

The Czech giants have reached three European quarter-finals since 2019, and reached the round of 16 in this competition last season, before losing to AC Milan.

After taking four points from their opening two games, everything was looking rosy for Jindrich Trpisovsky's side, but they have since embarked on the club's worst-ever losing run in Europe, falling to defeat in each of their last five matches.

The sudden fall off is illustrated perfectly by their faltering home form, and a blunt attack, with Slavia losing three of their last four home games in Europe, as many as they had lost in the previous 18.

Only Galatasaray and Manchester United have taken more shots than Slavia's 124 in the Europa League season, but they have managed just five goals, and that dismal conversion rate of 4% is comfortably the worst in the competition.

The hosts will now at least face a Malmo side who they have good history against, having won both legs of their only previous meeting, back in the 1996-97 UEFA Cup, coming out 5-2 victors on aggregate.

For a club that reached the knockout rounds of this competition in 2019 and 2020, and also competed in the Champions League in 2021-22, Malmo will be very disappointed at their showing on their return to European action.

While they did seal the Allsvenskan title back in October, form in Europe has been dismal, with all eight of the defeats across their last 26 matches in all competitions coming on the continent, illustrating the step up in quality from the Swedish top flight.

Away form in particular has been hugely concerning, with 21 defeats in their last 26 away games in Europe, including nine losses in 10.

Malmo have also not enjoyed much success against clubs from Czechia either, losing five of the six encounters against clubs from the nation, including both legs of their Champions League qualifier against Slavia's bitter rivals Sparta Prague back in August.

Slavia Prague possible starting lineup:

Mandous; Holes, Ogbu, Zima; Lingr, Zafeiris, Dorley, Prebsl, Diouf; Chory, Chytil

Malmo possible starting lineup:

Ricardo Friedrich; Stryger Larsen, Rosler, Zatterstrom, Busanello; Johnsen, Rosengren; Ali, Berg, Bolin; Botheim