Sparta Prague – Liverpool : Preview & Prediction
Sparta Prague deserve their first appearance in the UEFA Europa League (UEL) round of 16 since the 2015/16 season after coming back from a 3-2 deficit against Galatasaray with a 4-1 thrashing at the Stadion Letná. Their prize is a tough clash with European giants Liverpool, where they will have to improve on a dismal record of one win in their last 16 games against English opponents (E4, P11) if they are to stay alive in the competition.
That is not the only cause for concern, as after the loss to Galatasaray, Sparta are worryingly winless in the first leg of their last 15 UEFA competition ties (E6, P9). However, Brian Priske’s men will be looking to make the most of home advantage, and having won four of their last five European home games (1E), perhaps this fixture will not be so straightforward for heavily favored Liverpool.
That could potentially be dangerous for an injury-ravaged Liverpool, who historically have not won in their last 11 away games in a UEL knockout tie (E5, P6). One of those draws came when they traveled to Prague for a UEL Round of 16 first leg against Sparta in 2011, which ended 0-0, with Liverpool being the ones who ended up advancing thanks to a 1-0 win at Anfield a week later.
The Reds will be hoping for a more emphatic performance this time around as manager Jürgen Klopp aims to win the only remaining competition during his time on Merseyside which comes to an end this season. He has already guided his troops to Carabao Cup glory this season, and with his good run in the FA Cup while sitting top of the Premier League, a potentially historic Liverpool campaign could be on the cards for the German.
Players to watch: Sparta’s Jan Kuchta scored in both clashes against Galatasaray, with both goals serving as his side’s final goal. Elsewhere, Darwin Nunez returned from injury with a 99th-minute winner for Liverpool against Nottingham Forest last weekend, and six of his last eight goals have come in away games.
Key stat: Only three of these teams’ 14 combined games in the UEFA Europa League have yielded fewer than 2.5 total goals.
Sparta Prague – Liverpool : Betting Tips
Liverpool – Win Odds: 1.85
