Rangers vs Sparta Prague prediction: EUROPE: Europa League – Group Stage betting tips on match 2023-11-08 20:00.
Things are rolling along nicely for Philippe Clement at Rangers as his team continued their unbeaten start to his tenure with a 3-1 victory over Hearts (W4, D1), subsequently seeing the Glasgow club reach back-to-back Scottish League Cup finals. The only blot on Clement’s record to date was a goalless draw against Sparta Prague in the reverse fixture, a result the 2022 UEFA Europa League finalists need to better here if they’re to end the round in the top two.
Sharing a group stage for the second time in three seasons, the opportunity is there for Rangers to tip the H2H balance in their favour after three differing results in that time (W1, D1, L1). An impressive 80% home win rate against Czech opponents should serve to boost confidence (W4, L1), although their return of five winless games across their last eight at home in European action may temper expectations (W3, D2, L3).
Sitting second in Group C and above Rangers by virtue of goals scored, Sparta should enter this clash with confidence after a pair of domestic wins saw them reach the Czech Cup quarter-finals and move top of the Czech First League as they seek to defend their title. Sparta’s imperious overall record against Scottish clubs should further boost hopes (W7, D2, L2), yet a failure to qualify from half of their previous eight UEL groups illustrates that their fate balances on a knife edge.
Sparta travel to Ibrox on the back of a ten-game winless run in European away games (D2, L8), but their last victory did come in this city when they downed Rangers’ rivals Celtic with an impressive 4-1 win three years ago. Even if they fall short, Sparta should at least cause the hosts issues at the back having at least scored in six of the aforementioned eight defeats.
Players to watch: James Tavernier has picked up three Flashscore Player of the Match accolades across his last four league appearances (G4, A1), and he famously scored seven continental goals en route to the 2021/22 UEL final. As for Sparta, top league scorer Lukáš HaraslĂn (G7) could be set for a return after his cameo appearance last weekend; four of his eight competitive goals this season were team openers.
Hot stat: Rangers are unbeaten in 13 of their last 15 UEL home games (W11, D2, L2), although one of those defeats came against Sparta’s neighbours Slavia Prague.