FC Copenhagen (Den) vs Sparta Prague (Cze) prediction: EUROPE: Champions League – Qualification betting tips on match 2023-08-07 18:00.
Copenhagen, the only Danish team to ever reach the UEFA Champions League (UCL) knockouts, continue their latest effort to reach the group stages on the back of a perfect start to the season (W5) including home and away UCL qualifying wins against Iceland’s Breiðablik. The last time they faced Sparta Prague, their next opponents, they won home and away too, during the 2009/10 UEFA Europa League (UEL) group stage.
Another reason the 15-time Danish champions should enter this tie high on confidence is that they haven’t lost a European tie at Parken since the 2021/22 season (W2, D3), including holding eventual UCL champions Manchester City to a 0-0 draw here last term. The Lions also drew with Sevilla and Borussia Dortmund last season so they shouldn’t fear taking on any side in front of their home fans.
But if Sparta are going to overcome the Danes on their own patch, they’re well placed to do it having started their league campaign with three straight victories, including a 5-2 hammering of Pardubice on Saturday. After winning the Czech First League for the first time since 2013/14 last season, sterner tests await as the 37-time domestic champions, and the 1972/73 UCL semi-finalists are seeking a first UCL group-stage appearance since 2005/06!
Two seasons ago, the Czechs claimed a 0-0 away draw against Copenhagen’s rivals Brøndby and did likewise against Sønderjyske in a UEL qualifying play-off in 2016/17. However, their H2H record against Copenhagen home and away (L2, GF: 0, GA: 4) means they haven’t won or even scored in this country since September 1995 (D3, L1), something which Sparta manager Brian Priske, a former Denmark international, must be highly motivated to change!
Players to watch: Diogo Gonçalves has scored in four of Copenhagen’s five fixtures this term with the last three of his five goals coming before the 35th minute. Also averaging a goal per game this season, Sparta’s Lukáš HaraslĂn has netted three times already, twice between the 15th and 25th minute.
Hot streak: Sparta haven’t conceded before half-time in any of their last six competitive games (HT: W2, D4).