Sparta Prague vs Liverpool prediction: EUROPE: Europa League – Play Offs betting tips on match 2024-03-06 17:45.
Sparta Prague are fully deserving of their first UEFA Europa League (UEL) Round of 16 berth since 2015/16, after overturning a 3-2 first-leg deficit against Galatasaray by dominating the second-leg 4-1 at Stadion Letná. Their prize is a matchup with European juggernauts Liverpool, where they’ll most likely have to overcome a rotten record of winning just one of their last 16 meetings with English opposition (D4, L11) if they are to progress further.
That’s not the only monkey on their back, as after the loss to Galatasaray, Iron Sparta are worryingly winless in the first-leg of their last 15 UEFA competition ties (D6, L9). Brian Priske’s men will be looking to make full use of home advantage here in an attempt to change that, and having won four of their last five home European matches (D1), perhaps this game isn’t as cut-and-dry as Liverpool’s favourites tag suggests.
That potentially spells danger for an injury-ravaged Liverpool side, who historically are without victory in their last 11 away games in a UEL knockout setting (D5, L6). One of those draws occurred when they travelled to Prague for a UEL last 32 first-leg encounter with Sparta in 2011, which ended 0-0, only for Liverpool to claim the tie with a 1-0 win at Anfield a week later.
The Reds will be hoping for a more comprehensive performance this time, as manager Jürgen Klopp aims to win the only competition Liverpool have competed in and not yet won during his now expiring time on Merseyside. He’s already guided his troops to Carabao Cup glory this season, and with their FA Cup run going well while being atop the Premier League pile, a potentially historic run-in at Liverpool could be on the cards for the German.
Players to watch: Sparta’s Jan Kuchta scored home and away against Galatasaray, with both goals acting as his team's last goal on the day. His opposing #9 Darwin Núñez marked his return from injury with a 99th minute winner against Nottingham Forest at the weekend, that being the sixth of his last eight goals he’s scored on the road.
Hot stat: Only three of the combined 14 UEL games between these sides this season has produced fewer than 2.5 goals.