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Ekstraklasa: Widzew Łódź vs Motor Lublin
Kickoff Time: 2026-07-26 23:30 (HKT)
The 2026-27 Ekstraklasa season gets underway. Widzew Łódź finished 14th last campaign, merely four points clear of the relegation zone with underwhelming overall performances. Following the opening of the summer transfer window, the club has been active in the transfer market, signing Polish international striker Karol Świderski and 22-year-old Spanish defender Mario García. Last term, Świderski turned out for Greek giants Panathinaikos, scoring four goals in European competitions. Back in April this year, he started and found the net in the World Cup qualifying play-off between Sweden and Poland. In terms of departures, only left-back Samuel Kozlovsky was a regular first-team starter, and the arrival of Mario García serves as a direct replacement for him. Compared with last season’s squad, Widzew Łódź have marginally boosted their overall strength. Judging by last season’s results, Widzew Łódź are strong at home. They wrapped up the campaign with four consecutive home victories, and their formidable home form secured their survival from relegation.
Motor Lublin ended the previous season in 12th place, just one point above Widzew Łódź, registering similarly disappointing results. Several key first-team players departed in the summer transfer window, including regular goalkeeper Ivan Brkic (27 starts last season), defensive midfielder Sergi Samper (30 appearances, two assists), defensive midfielder Jakub Łabojko (29 appearances, one goal) and centre-back Hervé Matthys (24 starts). With multiple first-choice defenders and midfielders leaving, Motor Lublin must rebuild their backline. Constrained by limited financial resources, the club can only strengthen the squad via free transfers. Their new signings include defensive midfielder Mateusz Legowski from the Turkish top flight, backup goalkeeper Mihai Popa, formerly of Belgian heavyweight Club Brugge, defender Bartosz Bereszyński, who struggled to secure regular minutes in Italy’s Serie B, forward Makan Aïko (one goal in the Portuguese Primeira Liga last season), and defensive midfielder Yacine Bourhane from the Cypriot league. The new recruits still need time to gel. As a result, Motor Lublin’s squad strength has declined rather than improved compared with last season.
After squad reshuffles over the summer transfer period, Widzew Łódź’s first-team squad carries a total market value of €35.75 million, against Motor Lublin’s €17.18 million, highlighting a notable gulf in quality between the two sides. Widzew Łódź beat their opponents 2-0 at home in late April this year, holding the psychological edge. This will be their first home fixture of the new season. Buoyed by home supporters, Widzew Łódź boast greater motivation and are expected to secure victory on home soil.
Widzew Łódź‘s Last 5 Games: WLWLW
26-05-23 Widzew Łódź 2-1 Piast Gliwice
26-05-16 Korona Kielce 1-0 Widzew Łódź
26-05-09 Widzew Łódź 3-1 Lechia Gdańsk
26-05-02 Legia Warsaw 1-0 Widzew Łódź
26-04-26 Widzew Łódź 2-0 Motor Lublin
Motor Lublin‘s Last 5 Games: LDWLL
26-05-23 Legia Warsaw 4-0 Motor Lublin
26-05-16 Motor Lublin 3-3 Cracovia Krakow
26-05-10 Wisła Płock 0-4 Motor Lublin
26-05-03 Motor Lublin 0-1 Lech Poznań
26-04-26 Widzew Łódź 2-0 Motor Lublin
Head-to-Head
26-04-26 Widzew Łódź 2-0 Motor Lublin
25-10-25 Motor Lublin 3-0 Widzew Łódź
25-04-19 Widzew Łódź 1-2 Motor Lublin
24-10-19 Motor Lublin 3-4 Widzew Łódź
24-06-29 Widzew Łódź 1-2 Motor Lublin
Prediction: Widzew Łódź home win