Rangers – Sparta Prague : Preview & Prediction
Things are going very well for Philippe Clement at Rangers, as his side continued their unbeaten start with a 3-1 win over Hearts (G4, E1), and he subsequently led the Glasgow club to back-to-back Scottish League Cup finals. The only blemish on Clement’s record to date was a goalless draw against Sparta Prague in the previous meeting between these two sides, a result that the UEFA Europa League 2022 finalists must improve on here if they are to finish the day in the top two of their section.
Sharing a group stage for the second time in three seasons, Rangers have the chance to tip the scales in their favor after three different results in that time against this Czech opposition (G1, E1, P1). An impressive 80% home win rate against Czech opponents should serve as a confidence booster (G4, P1), although their return from five games without a win in their last eight at home in European action matches may temper expectations for a positive result in this fixture (G3, E2, P3).
Sparta, second in Group C and above Rangers in terms of goals scored, should head into this clash with confidence after a pair of home wins saw them reach the quarterfinals of the Czech Cup and climb to the top of the Premier League, where they are looking to defend their title. Sparta’s imperious overall record against Scottish clubs should raise hopes further (G7, E2, P2), however, failure to qualify from half of their previous eight UEL groups illustrates that their fate will likely be defined by razor-thin margins.
Sparta travel to Ibrox on the back of a ten-game winless streak in European away games (E2, P8), but their last win came here when they defeated Rangers’ bitter rivals Celtic with an impressive 4-1 victory three years ago. Even if they come up short, Sparta should at least cause the hosts problems in defense, having scored in at least six of the aforementioned eight defeats.
Players to watch: James Tavernier has won three Flashscore Man of the Match awards in his last four league appearances (Goals 4, Assists 1), and scored seven continental goals en route to the UEL final in the 2021/22 season. As for Sparta, the league’s top scorer, Lukáš Haraslín (G: 7), could return after his appearance last weekend; four of his eight official goals this season were his team’s first.
Key stat: Rangers are unbeaten in 13 of their last 15 home games in the UEL (G11, E2, P2), although one of those defeats came against Sparta’s neighbors Slavia Prague.
Rangers – Sparta Prague : Betting Tips
Rangers – Win Odds: 2.25
