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Ararat Armenia will make history on Wednesday when they welcome Sparta Prague to the Vazgen Sargsyan Republican Stadium for their first Europa League league-phase fixture.
The hosts will have to play their European home matches at the Vazgen Sargsyan Republican Stadium because their own 1,428-capacity ground does not meet UEFA requirements.
The Armenian champions booked their place in the competition's main stage by overcoming Universitatea Craiova in the playoffs, while Sparta dropped into the Europa League after their Champions League qualifying exit to Lyon.
Read our prediction, preview and betting tips for the game below, and make sure to check out our today's betting tips page for more of our expert predictions.
Ararat Armenia vs. Sparta Prague key stats
- Sparta Prague won both of the previous two head-to-head meetings between the sides.
- Ararat have failed to win four of their last eight matches across all competitions, with just one victory in their last three continental outings.
- Sparta have scored multiple goals in four of their last six matches across all competitions.
- Ararat have found the net in all four of their continental outings at Vazgen Sargsyan Republican Stadium this season.
Ararat Armenia vs. Sparta Prague preview: Hosts to make history
Ararat Armenia vs Sparta Prague — Tale of the Tape
| Ararat Armenia | vs | Sparta Prague |
|---|---|---|
| 3rd (Armenian Premier League) | Position | 9th (Czech First League) |
| 16 | Points | 12 |
| 14 | Goals For | 15 |
| 7 | Goals Against | 12 |
| 3 | Clean Sheets | 2 |
| 3rd | Home / Away Rank | 13th |
Ararat Armenia claimed their third Armenian Premier League title last season and have now followed that domestic success by reaching the main stage of a European competition for the first time.
Manuel Tulipa's side had to negotiate a difficult route to Wednesday's fixture, dropping out of Champions League qualifying against NK Celje before responding by eliminating Universitatea Craiova in the Europa League playoffs.
Domestically, the Armenian champions have also made a positive start, with five wins, one draw and one defeat from their opening seven league matches after their 3-0 victory against Syunik over the weekend.
Ararat have made their adopted venue a productive setting, with victories over Celje and Craiova extending their winning run to four in their last four continental games as hosts.
Sparta arrive with considerably more European experience, although their route to the Europa League main stage also included disappointment in Champions League qualifying.
Brian Priske's team were beaten by Lyon in the third qualifying round, forcing them to step into the Europa League after missing out on a return to Europe’s top-tier club competition’s mainstage.
The Czech side reached the Conference League round of 16 last season before suffering a heavy 6-1 aggregate defeat to AZ Alkmaar, giving them another opportunity to make progress in European competition this term.
Sparta’s domestic position has been less encouraging, as their 2-0 victory over Jablonec at the weekend left them ninth in the Czech top flight, although it offered a welcome response ahead of their trip to Armenia.
Ararat Armenia vs Sparta Prague form guide & betting tips
| Ararat Armenia | vs | Sparta Prague |
|---|---|---|
D
W
L
W
W
|
Form |
W
L
L
W
W
|
| 7 | Goals For | 12 |
| 3 | Goals Against | 5 |
D
W
|
Europa League | N/A |
Whispers predicts: Ararat-Armenia 1-2 Sparta Prague
Sparta's away record makes this far from a straightforward selection, but their greater European experience and previous success against Ararat make a narrow away victory at 1.70 (7/10) an appealing scoreline angle.
Over 2.5 goals at 1.67 (4/6) looks worth backing given the attacking potential on both sides and the strong scoring pattern in Sparta's away fixtures this season.
Meanwhile, both teams to score at 1.70 (7/10) offers an appealing alternative for those expecting Ararat to contribute on home soil, while Josimar Alcocer to be booked at 5.00 (4/1) makes for a tempting outsider option given his recent disciplinary record.
> Over 2.5 goals at 1.67 (4/6) | Likelihood: Probable
> Sparta Prague to win at 1.70 (7/10) | Likelihood: Possible
> BTTS – Yes at 1.70 (7/10) | Likelihood: Possible
> Josimar Alcocer to be booked at 5.00 (4/1) | Likelihood: Outsider