Sparta Prague: Europa Opponents with Unbeaten Home Record
Liverpool fans were relieved when the Reds drew Sparta Prague as their opponents in the Europa League last 16. While it may not have been the most exciting draw, considering the other strong teams in the competition, Sparta Prague should not be underestimated. With an unbeaten home record this season, they have proven themselves to be a force to be reckoned with.
Sparta Prague currently sit at the top of the Czech league with an impressive 60 points out of a possible 69. They are the reigning Czech champions and have a four-point lead over their rivals, Slavia Prague. In fact, they recently played a goalless draw against Slavia Prague in preparation for their match against Liverpool.
Their recent form is also something to take note of. Sparta Prague has won 10 out of their last 12 matches, including a victory against Real Betis. Their only defeat in their last 12 games came in the Europa League against Galatasaray in Turkey, where they twice equalized before conceding a 90th-minute winner.
When it comes to key players to watch out for, Ladislav Krejci and Martin Vitik are considered their biggest threats. Krejci is a versatile player who can play both center-back and central-defensive midfield, while Vitik is a highly-rated center-back prospect. In addition, Lukas Haraslin is their top scorer this season with 14 goals across all competitions.
Sparta Prague’s sporting director, former Arsenal player Tomas Rosicky, is expected to make the trip to Anfield. The team is managed by ex-Portsmouth player Brian Priske.
In terms of their journey to the last 16, Sparta Prague dropped out of the Champions League after losing on penalties to Copenhagen in the third qualifying round. In the Europa League group stage, they faced Rangers, Real Betis, and Aris Limassol. They secured their spot in the knockout stage by winning their final two matches.
The Letna Stadium, also known as the epet ARENA, has been the home of Sparta Prague since 1917. It is conveniently located close to the city center, making it accessible for traveling Liverpool fans. The stadium has a capacity of just under 19,000, making it a challenging place for away teams to play. Sparta Prague has an unbeaten home record this season, excluding their loss on penalties to Copenhagen in the Champions League.
Interestingly, Liverpool has faced Sparta Prague in the past. The last encounter was in 2011 when Liverpool won 1-0 at Anfield, with Dirk Kuyt scoring the only goal. The lineup for that match included Reina, Kelly, Kyrgiakos, Agger, Wilson, Meireles, Poulsen, Lucas, Cole, Kuyt, and Ngog.
As Liverpool prepares to face Sparta Prague in the Europa League last 16, they should not underestimate their opponents. Sparta Prague’s unbeaten home record and strong performance in the Czech league make them a formidable team. However, with Liverpool’s quality and experience, they should be able to secure a comfortable victory. It will be an exciting match to watch as both teams battle for a spot in the quarter-finals.