Stuttgart vs Sparta Prague prediction: EUROPE: Champions League – League phase betting tips on match 2024-09-30 16:45.
[p]Stuttgartâs first UEFA Champions League (UCL) fixture in over 13 years ended just like their previous one in 2010 with defeat in Spain, as they opened their league phase campaign by losing 3-1 to Real Madrid. They bounced back emphatically to beat Borussia Dortmund 5-1 in the Bundesliga, but they needed a late goal to secure a 2-2 draw with Wolfsburg on Saturday after going down to ten men.[/p]
[p]That battling performance, which manager Sebastian HoeneĂ described as being âimportant for moraleâ, should stand the Reds in good stead for their second UCL league phase fixture against Sparta Prague. History is on their side as theyâve won both previous European home games against Prague-based clubs, although the most recent of those was against Spartaâs great rivals Slavia Prague in the 1997/98 Cup Winnersâ Cup.[/p]
[p]The Prague derby follows this clash and after an unexpected 3-2 defeat on Friday to Sigma Olomouc, their first since Lars Friis took over in July, Sparta could be forgiven for having half an eye on domestic affairs. But theyâve excelled in Europe this term as their 3-0 matchday one triumph over Salzburg was their third-straight UCL win âto nilâ this term and sixth European victory this season (D1).[/p]
[p]After the ideal start courtesy of their biggest UCL win since beating Feyenoord 4-0 in 2001, Iron Sparta are now unbeaten across their last three European group-stage openers (W2, D1). This is their first trip to Germany since drawing 2-2 with Schalke in the 2015/16 UEFA Europa League, although ominously theyâve not won an away match in the country since 1992 (D3, L2 since).[/p]
[p]Players to watch: Enzo Millot, who netted in both of Stuttgartâs last two fixtures, has scored three of his four competitive club goals this season inside the opening 35 minutes but if Sparta are to make a fast start, Victor Olatunji could be dangerous given heâs struck before half-time in two of their last three games.[/p]
[p]Hot streak: Sparta havenât won their first European group-stage away game of the season since 2007/08 (D2, L7). [/p]
[p][i]Written by John Pennington[/i][/p]