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Both Sparta Prague and Salzburg made it through the qualification stages and will each see this as a golden opportunity to put three points on the board early on in the new league phase.
KICK-OFF DATE/TIME: Wednesday September 18th 2024: UK – 5:45pm / US ET – 12:45pm / US PT – 9:45am
HOW TO WATCH ON TV: UK – TNT Sports 6 / US – CBS Sports
HOW TO WATCH ONLINE: UK – discovery+ / US – Paramount+
SPARTA PRAGUE PREVIEW: FORM IN SPARTA’S FAVOUR AFTER UNBEATEN START
Sparta Prague come into this match on the back of an excellent sustained run of form which has seen them win 11 and draw two of their 13 games played in all competitions this season. The Czech champions have combined defensively stability with offensive potency under Lars Friis, scoring twice in each of their last seven, and not conceding a goal across their Champions League play-off round victory over Malmo.
Winger Lukas Haraslin has scored in four of his most recent six appearances for Sparta and could have a big part to play here against Salzburg on the left side of a front three. Haraslin is one of two Sparta players to have found the net in consecutive matches in all competitions leading into this one, with Albion Rrahmani having also achieved the feat.
SALZBURG PREVIEW: ATTENTION TURNS TO EUROPE FOLLOWING DOMESTIC STRUGGLES
After winning the Austrian Bundesliga for ten consecutive seasons, Salzburg were beaten to the title last season by Sturm Graz, forcing them to go through the qualifiers in order to reach the league phase. Pep Lijnders’s side then proceeded to navigate their way past both Twente and Dynamo Kyiv across two legs to book their place in this inaugural stage of the Champions League.
Formerly assistant to Jurgen Klopp at Liverpool, Lijnders joined Salzburg this summer, but has endured a tough start to life in Austria so far with them currently fifth-place in the league. Playing in the Champions League may perhaps work in Salzburg’s favour with them being able to focus on a different competition, which could initiate a change in fortunes.
SPARTA PRAGUE TEAM NEWS: MUSCLE ISSUE RULES OUT RYNES
Czech midfielder Matej Rynes will miss this game due to a muscle problem and this could lead to a place in the middle of the park for Ermal Krasniqi with Birmancevic, Rrahmani and Haraslin as part of a front three.
PREDICTED XI (3-4-3): Vindahl; Vitik, Panak, Sorensen; Preciado, Kairinen, Laci, Krasniqi; Birmancevic, Rrahmani, Haraslin
UNAVAILABLE: Rynes (Injured)
QUESTIONABLE:
SALZBURG TEAM NEWS: KJAERGAARD OUT, TERZIC DOUBTFUL
A contributor for Salzburg across the Champions League qualifiers, Maurits Kjaergaard has been ruled out for the opening round of league phase fixtures and when taking into account his goals scored, he'll be a big miss.
PREDICTED XI (4-3-3): Blaswich; Dedic, Piatkowski, Baidoo, Terzic; Bidstrup, Gourna-Douath, Gloukh; Nene, Ratkov, Yeo
UNAVAILABLE: Kjaergaard (Injured)
QUESTIONABLE: Terzic (Injured)
KEY STATS
SPARTA PRAGUE VS SALZBURG PREDICTION
When comparing the form of these two clubs, Sparta Prague are in an excellent position to end a run of 14 matches without victory at this equivalent stage of the Champions League. However, Salzburg’s pedigree in this competition has been better in recent years and you would expect a reaction from them in Europe.
Home advantage being in Sparta’s favour could be a critical factor and knowing they have the tools to hurt Salzburg from an attacking standpoint is very important. Expect a close game here, but for Sparta Prague to edge. Even so, it would be wise to utilise the draw no bet market for extra security.
SPARTA PRAGUE VS SALZBURG TIP: SPARTA PRAGUE DRAW NO BET