2026-27 UEFA Europa League: League Phase – Sparta Prague vs Bournemouth

Sparta Prague host in-form Bournemouth in a league phase encounter in the 2026-27 UEFA Europa League. 

Victory would lift Sparta Prague higher into the seeded knockout play-off positions as they currently lie 16th in the table.

Bournemouth meanwhile can go top with a win for a few hours at minimum, as Benfica and Bayer Leverkusen don’t play until the late kick-offs.

 

Team News

Winger, John Mercado is a doubt for Sparta Prague after he missed their last two matches due to a calf injury, although he will be given a late fitness test.

Adam Karabec, Matej Rynes (both ankle), Magnus Kofod Andersen, Adam Sevinsky (both knee) and Emmanuele Uchenna (thigh) are ruled out.

Bournemouth have no fresh injury or suspension concerns to report after their 2-0 Premier League win at home to Leeds.

Alex Scott (quad), Alex Toth (hamstring) and Julian Araujo (thigh) are still ruled out.

 

When is Kick-Off?

Sparta Prague host Bournemouth at Epet Arena on Thursday 5 November at 6:45pm CET (5:45pm GMT), live on TNT Sports 2 in the UK.

 

Stat Attack

• This is Sparta Prague’s first competitive fixture against Bournemouth in all competitions.
• Bournemouth are making their first competitive visit to Sparta Prague.
• Sparta Prague have won one of nine home matches against English opposition in all UEFA competitions this century (W1, D2, L6).
• Bafode Diakite has been booked in each of Bournemouth’s three league phase fixtures in this season’s competition.

 

Prediction

Without a clean sheet in the league phase, Sparta Prague certainly have a defensive vulnerability but narrowly lost away to Olympiacos a fortnight ago, underlining that they’re not an easy team to face yet they’re in a rut with one win in their last six games in all competitions.

Bournemouth meanwhile have definitely found their groove with no goals conceded and six victories in their last six matches in all competitions, so confidence is currently high now that they have clicked on the pitch but they can’t afford to underestimate Sparta’s ability to grind out draws.

I honestly expect this to be a tough match but given Sparta’s rut and general form against English opposition, Bournemouth should nick this.

Prediction: Sparta Prague 0-1 Bournemouth