FCSB and Sparta Prague will go head to head on Tuesday, 13 August when they meet in the second leg of their Champions League third qualifying round tie.
FCSB performed better than expected in the first leg, leaving the Czech Republic with a hard-earned point which has given them more than a fighting chance this week.
Sparta Prague, meanwhile, go into the match knowing that they need to win away from home if their Champions League adventure is to continue this season.
As part of our latest round of Champions League betting tips, here is our FCSB vs Sparta Prague prediction.
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FCSB vs Sparta Prague prediction: Home advantage to make the difference
Key stats
- Sparta Prague have won all three of their away matches this season.
- FCSB have failed to win four of their last six matches in all competitions.
- Over 2.5 goals have been scored in three of Sparta Prague's last five matches.
Correct score prediction: FCSB 1-2 Sparta Prague
FCSB performed better than expected last week, securing a 1-1 draw in the Czech Republic. Given they managed to score in the away leg, it would be a surprise if they failed to score this week but we believe Sparta Prague will have enough quality to outscore them. The visitors have scored 2+ goals in six of their seven matches this season, so goalscoring is clearly not an issue for them.
Pre-game odds and win probability: Sparta Prague go in as favourites
- Home: 9/4 (3.25) – 30.8%
- Draw: 12/5 (3.40) – 29.4%
- Away: 23/20 (2.15) – 46.5%
Sparta Prague were the heavy favourites to get the job done last week but their failure to do so has resulted in the bookies lengthening their odds this time around. Although they are still the favourites, Sparta Prague have been priced at 23/20 by Ladbrokes to win the match while an FCSB win has been priced at 9/4. The draw, which would send the match to extra time, has been priced at 12/5.
Our free betting tips for today page has plenty of other predictions for all other matches taking place this week.
Most recent H2Hs: Advantage FCSB
FCSB vs Sparta Prague is a fixture that has been played for several decades now with the two sides meeting on six occasions to date. Interestingly, FCSB boast an unbeaten record against Sparta Prague with three wins and three draws against their Czech rivals. Therefore, Sparta Prague will have to make history if they are to progress through to the final round of qualifying.
UEFA Champions League Qualifying 06/08/24
Sparta Prague
FCSB
UEFA Champions League Qualifying 03/08/16
FCSB
Sparta Prague
UEFA Champions League Qualifying 26/07/16
Sparta Prague
FCSB
Europe Friendlies 06/02/15
FCSB
Sparta Prague
FCSB Preview: Can they continue to defy the odds?
FCSB's record so far this season has been worrying, to say the least, with the club winning just one league match thus far. However, they showed plenty of spirit last week in Prague which has given their fans hope of completing an unlikely victory in the second leg.
Predicted lineup: Tarnovanu (GK), Radunovic, Ngezana, Dawa, Cretu, Lixandru, Sut, Baluta, Olaru, Stefanescu, Miculescu
Romania Liga I 01/09/24
W
ACS UTA Batrana Doamna
0
FCSB
2
UEFA Europa League Qualifying 29/08/24
W
LASK Linz
0
FCSB
1
Romania Liga I 25/08/24
L
AFC Hermannstadt
2
FCSB
0
UEFA Europa League Qualifying 22/08/24
D
LASK Linz
1
FCSB
1
Romania Liga I 17/08/24
L
CSM Politehnica Iasi
1
FCSB
0
Sparta Prague Preview: Doing it the hard way
Everyone was expecting Sparta Prague to win comfortably last week but after failing to do so, the tie is now very much in the balance. They still possess more quality than their opponents but winning in Bucharest is never an easy task.
Predicted lineup: Vindahl-Jensen (GK), Vitik, Sorensen, Zeleny, Preciado, Kairinen, Solbakken, Rynes, Birmancevic, Olatunji, Haraslin
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
Player to watch: Veljko Birmancevic
Sparta Prague are going to need their big players to step up to the plate on Tuesday night if they are to have any chance of winning away from home and they don't come much bigger than Veljko Virmancevic.
The winger scored 22 goals and provided 13 assists in his first season for the club in 2023/24 and while it's going to be difficult to repeat that type of return this time around, he has started like a man with every intention of doing so.
So far, the 26-year-old has three goals and one assist in four competitive outings in 2024/25 and a couple more goal contributions on Tuesday would go a long way.
