Liverpool vs Sparta Prague Match Analysis and Prediction

Liverpool vs Sparta Prague Match Analysis & Prediction

Liverpool

14/03/2024 11:00 pm

Sparta Prague

by Vincent

9 months ago 0 107

DISCLAIMER: All odds are quoted at time the prediction went live. Check the sports book for updated odds

Taking a huge first-leg advantage to their Anfield base, Liverpool play host to Sparta Prague in the second leg of their Europa League last-16 tie on Thursday night.

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Jurgen Klopp’s side thrashed their Czech counterparts 5-1 in last week’s opening leg, but the scoreline certainly did not tell the full tale at the epet Arena.

After Alexis Mac Allister’s spot kick propelled Liverpool into an early lead during last week’s first leg, Liverpool would have to weather a severe Sparta Pragie storm, which they came through unscathed through heroic defending and their hosts profligacy.

Ultimately, Conor Bradley would do Sparta Prague’s job for them, but Darwin Nunez had already increased Liverpool’s advantage with a brace before the right-back fired into the roof of his own net, and Luiz Diaz and Dominik Szoboszlai added some gloss to the scoreline in the second half.

Klopp was under no illusions that Liverpool could have travelled home with a much less comfortable cushion, but unless Sparta Prague can channel the spirits of 2016-17 Barcelona, the Reds should enjoy a stress-free stroll into the last eight of the Europa League.

Having won each of their three group matches, Liverpool are on a run of eight successive Europa League wins on home turf and could now become just the second English side to win such matches on the bounce.

However, the Reds were denied an eighth straight victory across all competitions on Sunday, ceding control of the Premier League title race to Arsenal in a captivating 1-1 draw with Manchester City.

Meanwhile, Sparta Prague arrive in Merseyside with an abysmal record of 17 losses from their last 21 continental matches on rival territory, suffering defeat in each of their last four knockout away games.

A hangover from their first-leg defeat was evident during Sunday’s Czech Fortuna Liga encounter with Viktoria Plzen, where Brian Priske oversaw yet another chastening four-goal loss, one which ended Sparta Prague’s 10-game unbeaten run in the top flight extending back to the end of October.

Unless the Maroons can somehow defy the odds at Anfield, they will bow out of the Europa League at the last-16 stage for the first time – previous campaigns have either ended in the group stage, playoffs or quarter-finals – and just one of their 11 trip to England has ended in victory.

Liverpool vs. Sparta Prague Head to head

These two teams have only previously met on three occasions, with Liverpool winning twice while they have drawn once.

17/02/2011

Sparta Prague

0

Liverpool

0

Europa League
24/02/2011

Liverpool

1

Sparta Prague

0

Europa League
07/03/2024

Sparta Prague

1

Liverpool

5

Europa League
14/03/2024

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A
14/03/2024

Liverpool

N/A

Sparta Prague

N/A

Europa League

Liverpool Team News

Ibrahima Konate did not take part in the draw with Man City due to a hamstring issue from the first leg, and is due to miss out here.

All of Ben Doak, Joel Matip, Diogo Jota, Trent Alexander-Arnold (all knee), Stefan Bajcetic (calf), Curtis Jones (shin), Alisson Becker (thigh), Ryan Gravenberch (ankle) and Thiago Alcantara (muscle) are all sidelined.

Liverpool's Last 5 Matches

25/02/2024

Chelsea

0

Liverpool

1 E

League Cup
28/02/2024

Liverpool

3

Southampton

0

FA Cup
02/03/2024

Nottingham Forest

0

Liverpool

1

Premier League
07/03/2024

Sparta Prague

1

Liverpool

5

Europa League
10/03/2024

Liverpool

1

Manchester City

1

Premier League

Sparta Prague Team News

Priske was forced to take Asger Sorensen off just before the break in the first leg, and the 27-year-old Dane missed his side’s defeat to Viktoria Plzen with that hamstring issue.

Key attackers Jan Kuchta and Veljko Birmancevic should both be brought back into the first XI after starting that game on the bench, while Angelo Preciado – who is serving a domestic ban – return to the right-hand side.