Two of the most famous European underdogs clash heads this week in the Champions League as Rapid Vienna welcome Sparta Prague. The match schedules for Tuesday at the Allianz Stadion, with kickoff at 9:30 pm.
The second round of the Champions League qualifying round pitches a home side trailed in 15 points behind the Australian Bundesliga winners RB Slasburg last term. On the other hand, the visitors finished off runners-up behind unbeaten rivals Slavia Prague.
The Allianz Stadion sets are to come alive with 14,000 tickers already sold. The home crowd will give Vienna a major boost as European football continues cautiously to re-open its gates.
Despite a troubled season that saw them left behind RB Salzburg in the league last season. However, a second-place finish was enough to seal a place in the second qualifying round of Europe’s elite competition.
Furthermore, the side prepared for the new season on a high note, following a 6-0 victory over Wiener Viktoria in their first competitive match last Friday. In the first round of the Austrian Cup, the win was aided with their opponents going ten men down.
On the other hand, Sparta Prague is yet to take part in any competitive match this summer. The last significant game dates back to May in the Czech Republic semi-final defeat to City rivals Slavia. However, their previous campaign has been on a high.
Rapid Vienna vs Sparta Prague Head to Head
Both sides are yet to meet against each other, and this marks their first time. Here is a look at their previous encounters:
Home
- Rapid Vienna 6-0 Wiener Viktoria
- Rapid Vienna 1-0 Kobenhavn
- SK Rapid Wein 2-2 SKN St. Polten
- SK Rapid Wein 0-0 Lokomotiv Moscow
- Rapid Wein 3-0 SV Oberwart
Away
- Sparta Praha 2-2 Dynamo Moscow
- Wolfsberger AC 3-2 Sparta Praha
- Sparta Praha 4-1 SV Spittal
- Arsenal Tula 1-4 Spart Praha
- Sparta Praha 1-0 SK Lisen
Rapid Vienna Team News
A major change in the starting lineup without the availability of Barcelona-bound Yusuf Demir. Therefore, former Barnsley attacking midfielder Christoph Knasmullner may keep his place in the starting XI.
Sparta Praha Team News
Top attacking talisman Adam Hlozek finished off last campaign as top scorer despite missing 15 games through injury. Summer departures at the camp include Libor Kozak and Benjamin Tetteh.
Prediction and Odds
We expect an open fair for both sides given their recent victories, having scored in the pre-season friendlies.
- Draw
- Double Chance
- Both Teams to Score
