Liverpool continue their journey in the Europa League on Thursday, as the Reds remain in the hunt to win four major competitions this term. They will be on the road for their first leg against Sparta Prague, but can the hosts upset the odds?
Europa League Preview
It is promising to be a famous final season in charge at Anfield for Jurgen Klopp, as Liverpool could yet end the 2023-24 season with four major trophies. The Reds have enjoyed an excellent campaign in the Europa League so far this term, winning four of their six matches.
However, a concern could be their record on the road in the competition, with both of their defeats coming away from Anfield. Liverpool are also winless in their last eleven away matches in the knockout stage of the Europa League since a 3-1 win in 2009-10. Over that period, they have suffered seven defeats with just four draws having been played out.
That away record will give Sparta Prague hope ahead of this showdown. The Czech side finished second in their Group C campaign after winning half of their six matches and falling to two defeats. That meant that they needed to come through the playoff round to reach the round of 16, but they were excellent in their second leg against Galatasaray to record a famous 4-1 win.
They will need to make a quicker start in this tie after winning just once in their last ten two-legged ties across all major European competitions. Their only winning first leg across that period was a 1-0 home success against Krasnodar in the 2016-17 Europa League campaign.
Sparta Prague vs Liverpool Head to Head
The only previous meeting between these sides came in the 2010-11 Europa League campaign. Liverpool progressed through to the next round on that occasion after securing a 1-0 aggregate win. Meanwhile, Sparta have recorded just one win in their last 16 clashes with English sides across all major European competitions.
Sparta Prague vs Liverpool Prediction
Sparta have an underwhelming record in first legs in major European competitions, and that would be a massive concern ahead of this showdown against Liverpool. However, they could be favoured to land victory on Thursday with the Reds set to rest a number of first-team stars ahead of Sunday’s clash with Manchester City.
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