Sparta Prague face Liverpool at Stadion Letna in the first leg of their Round of 16 tie in 2023-24 Europa League.
Sparta Prague edged past Galatasaray in their knockout play-off to reach this stage, whilst Liverpool had topped Group E to receive a free pass into the Round of 16.
Team News
Ladislav Krejci, Veljko Birmancevic and Matej Rynes are all back in contention for Sparta Prague after they were suspended for Sparta’s second-leg victory over Galatasaray.
Filip Panak (unspecified) is a doubt but Andreas Vindheim (unspecified) is ruled out.
Liverpool could welcome Mohamed Salah back into contention after he missed their last four matches with a hamstring injury.
Ben Doak, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Diogo Jota (all knee), Joel Matip (ACL), Curtis Jones (bone), Thiago Alcantara (muscle), Ryan Gravenberch (ankle), Stefan Bajcetic (calf) and Alisson (hamstring) remain absent.
When is Kick-Off?
Sparta Prague host Liverpool at Stadion Letna on Thursday 7 March at 6:45pm CET (5:45pm UK Time), live on TNT Sports 1 in the UK.
Stat Attack
- Sparta Prague are winless in two previous meetings against Liverpool – which coincidentally came in this same competition back in the 2010-11 season, albeit at Round of 32 stage (D1, L1).
- Liverpool drew 0-0 in their only previous visit to Sparta Prague in February 2011.
- Sparta Prague are yet to score against Liverpool in a competitive fixture.
- Lukas Haraslin has scored in each of Sparta Prague’s last two home games (W2).
- Liverpool conceded six goals in their three away games in the group stage (W1, L2).
Prediction
Unbeaten at home this season in which they have conceded more than one goal on just three occasions, Sparta Prague certainly can’t be underestimated because the Czech leaders clearly are a well-organised team defensively, yet are seriously fierce when it comes to their attack.
Liverpool meanwhile will be glad to have Salah back but with one eye on their crucial Premier League clash against Man City on Sunday, Jurgen Klopp will surely rotate his squad but they must be more clinical than they were against Nottingham Forest because they were simply wasteful and rode their luck at times.
As easy as it is to have Klopp’s Reds as favourites, Sparta are a difficult team when at home so I can see Liverpool snatching a 1-1 draw, and completing the job at home instead.
Prediction: Sparta Prague 1-1 Liverpool
Result: Sparta Prague 1-5 Liverpool
Leave a Reply