Aris vs Sparta Prague prediction: EUROPE: Europa League – Group Stage betting tips on match 2023-12-13 20:00.
It all comes down to this for Aris Limassol, who after picking up four points from five UEFA Europa League (UEL) group games, must now defeat Sparta Prague by at least two goals if they are to clinch third and progress into Europe’s third-tier competition. Alas, whatever happens, Aris’ journey in the UEL concludes with this game but they at least travel in relatively solid form with just one defeat across their last four competitive games (W2, D1, L1).
The reverse fixture was Aris’ first encounter with Czech opposition and despite their outsider status, they did manage to take a lead, only then to lose by a narrow 3-2 scoreline. They still remain outsiders for this home leg but will hope to put on a better show after winning four of their last five competitive home games, yet only one of those home triumphs was by a scoreline which would see them pinch third place here.
The picture is much simpler for Sparta, who know that a win will guarantee a top-two finish and progression to the UEL knockout phase for the first time since 2016/17. Confidence should be high of doing exactly that after a run of seven wins across their last eight games, a sequence which has seen them to the round of 16 in the Czech Cup and also comfortably clear of rivals Slavia at the top of the Fortuna Liga.
Further boosting Sparta hopes is an almost perfect historical record against Cypriot sides (W6, D1), although failure to win across their last 12 European away games (D2, L10) tempers enthusiasm somewhat. Sparta actually lost after taking a first-half lead in two of their three European away defeats this season, so a strong start may not necessarily translate into a positive result.
Players to watch: Aris’ Aleksandr Kokorin has found himself involved in some capacity in each of his last six appearances, racking up four yellow cards, three goals and an assist! Lukáš HaraslĂn has been similarly influential for Sparta across his past three appearances, scoring twice and assisting once – all in wins – despite never featuring for the full 90 minutes.
Hot stat: Sparta Prague have conceded at least twice in six of their last seven UEL away games (D1, L6).