Sparta Prague vs Betis prediction: EUROPE: Europa League – Group Stage betting tips on match 2023-11-29 17:45.
Wins ‘to nil’ either side of the international break kept Sparta Prague on top of the Czech First League and they could do with more of the same when they resume their UEFA Europa League campaign (W1, D1, L2) against Real Betis. October’s 2-1 loss in the reverse H2H was their third straight European defeat to Spanish opposition, so they’re up against it as they look to keep pace with group leaders Betis as well as second-placed Rangers.
This is a team that is not used to losing at the Letná Stadium, with their last competitive defeat here coming in mid-August, and even that was on penalties after a 3-3 draw with Copenhagen (W8, D1)! That ought to give Sparta some hope, despite winning just once against Spanish opponents here in their last six attempts (L5), with those fixtures producing an entertaining average of 4.33 goals per game!
If Betis need any further incentive in addition to knowing that a win here will put them on the brink of automatically reaching the round of 16, they’re also hoping to register four straight UEL victories for the first time. Now unbeaten in all competitions since losing on matchday one to Rangers (W8, D5), Manuel Pellegrini’s side continue to grind out the results, beating Las Palmas 1-0 on Sunday to stay in touch with La Liga’s top six.
Not renowned for consistent prolific goalscoring away from home, Los Verdiblancos netted exactly once in five of their last six such games (W2, D4), but should at least be boosted by a perfect record against sides from the Czech Republic this millennium (W5). They include victories by one-goal margins in both previous visits to the country (2002 and 2013).
Players to watch: Veljko Birmančević has scored three times across Sparta’s last two home fixtures, twice inside the opening 40 minutes. Also quick off the mark, Willian José opened the scoring inside 20 minutes in two of Betis’ last four outings.
Hot streak: Pellegrini has won all three of his previous meetings with Czech clubs.