Sparta will host Malmo in Prague in the second leg of the final round of Champions League qualifiers on Tuesday, 27 August.
Will Sparta secure their place in the group stages by defending the first-leg advantage or will Malmo spoil their plans? Read our Sparta Prague vs Malmo prediction and our other Champions League betting tips.
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Sparta Prague vs Malmo prediction: Hosts to defend the lead
Key stats
- Both teams have scored in three of the previous four Malmo matches across the board.
- Sparta Prague's Champions League fixtures this term average 3.40 total goals per game.
- Malmo have gone over 2.5 total goals in seven of their last 10 games in all competitions.
Correct score prediction: Sparta Prague 2-1 Malmo
While Sparta Prague already have a two-goal lead from Sweden, we can see them confirming their place in the Champions League group stages with another win, with goals on both sides.
Pre-game odds and win probability: Sparta Prague favoured by the bookies
- HOME: 19/20 (1.95) – 51.30%
- DRAW: 3/1 (4.00) – 25.00%
- AWAY: 29/10 (3.90) – 25.60%
*odds from Ladbrokes, subject to change
The hosts are the favourites according to the Sparta Prague vs Malmo odds and that's hardly a surprise after their win in the first leg in Sweden.
Furthermore, Sparta have yet to lose a game this season and they've stayed unbeaten in 11 matches in a row. That being said, Malmo are also in good form and they did score three goals away from home against PAOK in the last round of the qualifiers.
For more picks, today’s free football tips take a look at some of the best options from the action across Europe and beyond.
Most recent H2Hs: Sparta with the clear advantage
These two teams have met five times before and Sparta Prague have managed to win three of those games, while Malmo have claimed the other two.
UEFA Champions League Qualifying 21/08/24
Malmo FF
Sparta Prague
Europe Friendlies 01/02/24
Malmo FF
Sparta Prague
UEFA Champions League Qualifying 06/08/14
Malmo FF
Sparta Prague
UEFA Champions League Qualifying 29/07/14
Sparta Prague
Malmo FF
Sparta Prague preview: Hoping to extent their streak without a loss
Since the season started, Sparta Prague have played in 11 matches, including their domestic championship and the Champions League qualifiers. In all those games, they've only drawn twice, winning the rest, so it's clear that they're in fantastic form and all they have to do to reach the group stage of the elite European competition is not lose by two or more goals to Malmo, at home.
Sparta Prague will be without injured Imanol Garcia, David Pavelka, and Roman Mokrovics on Tuesday.
Predicted lineup: Vindahl-Jensen (GK), Zeleny, Ross, Vitik, Rynes, Kairinen, Laci, Preciado, Haraslin, Kuchta & Birmancevic
Czech Republic First League 31/08/24 W Hradec Kralove 0 Sparta Prague 2 UEFA Champions League Qualifying 27/08/24 W Malmo FF 0 Sparta Prague 2 Czech Republic First League 24/08/24 D Slovacko 2 Sparta Prague 2 UEFA Champions League Qualifying 21/08/24 W Malmo FF 0 Sparta Prague 2 Czech Republic First League 17/08/24 W FK Jablonec 1 Sparta Prague 2
Malmo preview: Hoping for a great performance on Tuesday
After an impressive elimination of PAOK in the previous round of the Champions League qualifiers with an extra-time win in Greece, Malmo were hoping to get a positive result against Sparta at home before going to Prague for the rematch. However, Malmo have lost that game two-nil and now they need a small miracle to turn things around in the second leg.
When it comes to team news, Niklas Moisander, Stefano Vecchia, and Anton Tinnerholm remain out with injuries.
Predicted lineup: Friedrich (GK), Zatterstrom, Jansson, Larsen, Busanello, Pena, Johnsen, Rieks, Nanasi, Botheim & Bolin
Sweden Allsvenskan 01/09/24 W Djurgarden 0 Malmo FF 4 UEFA Champions League Qualifying 27/08/24 L Sparta Prague 2 Malmo FF 0 Sweden Allsvenskan 24/08/24 D Kalmar FF 2 Malmo FF 2 UEFA Champions League Qualifying 21/08/24 L Sparta Prague 2 Malmo FF 0 Sweden Allsvenskan 17/08/24 W IFK Norrkoping 1 Malmo FF 2
Player to watch: Veljko Birmancevic
After a great last season, the 26-year-old Serbian winger has continued with amazing performances and has already scored six goals for Sparta in the league and Europe so far.
Birmancevic to score from a penalty?
Three of the six goals that Birmancevic has scored this season came from penalties and he'll likely convert once more if given the chance.
