Both Sparta Prague and Salzburg will view Wednesday's opening Champions League game as a great opportunity to put three points on the board.
There isn't a lot between the two squads and the hosts Sparta head into this one as the slight favourite with the bookmakers but we're expecting a very close match.
Contents
Sparta Prague vs Salzburg prediction: Possible stalemate on the cards?
Key Stats
- Salzburg have only lost one of their last six competitive fixtures.
- Under 2.5 goals have been produced in three of Sparta's last four outings.
- Three of Salzburg's last four fixtures have also witnessed fewer than three goals.
Correct score prediction: Sparta Prague 1-1 Salzburg
These two sides have only met in non-competitive fixtures before, both of which arrived in the last two seasons. The pair played out a 2-2 draw in July and with both teams heading into this game in good form, we're backing a 1-1 draw as our correct score prediction.
Pre-game odds and win probability: Sparta Prague the slight favourite
- HOME: 6/4 (2.50) – 40%
- DRAW: 27/10 (3.70) – 27%
- AWAY: 15/8 (2.88) – 34.8%
*odds from Ladbrokes, subject to change
Sparta Prague are the expected winner of this game with a probability of 40% but we are predicting a tight and tense 90 minutes between the pair.
You can find all our predictions for today's games on our football betting tips page.
Most recent H2Hs: First competitive meeting
Salzburg have picked up one win and one draw from their two previous friendly encounters with Sparta Prague, the most recent being a 2-2 draw in July of this year.
Europe Friendlies 13/07/24
FC Salzburg
Sparta Prague
Europe Friendlies 16/01/23
FC Salzburg
Sparta Prague
Sparta Prague preview: Knocked out Malmo in the playoffs
Sparta Prague have made a near-perfect start to the new season in Czechia and have made it through to the Champions League proper.
Wednesday's hosts have picked up 19 points from their opening seven league games and claimed 2-0 wins home and away against Swedish side Malmo to book their place in the new-look Champions League.
Jakub Pesek and Roman Mokrovics are the two main injury concerns for Wednesday's hosts.
Predicted lineup: Vindahl (GK), Sorensen, Panak, Wiesner, Rynes, Vitik, Laci, Haraslin, Kairinen, Krasniqi & Rrahmani
UEFA Champions League 01/10/24
D
VfB Stuttgart
1
Sparta Prague
1
Czech Republic First League 27/09/24
L
Sigma Olomouc
3
Sparta Prague
2
Czech Republic First League 22/09/24
W
Ceske Budejovice
0
Sparta Prague
2
UEFA Champions League 18/09/24
W
FC Salzburg
0
Sparta Prague
3
Czech Republic First League 31/08/24
W
Hradec Kralove
0
Sparta Prague
2
Salzburg preview: Showed their class against Dinamo Kiev
Salzburg sit fifth in the Austrian Bundesliga table but have only played four games compared to the teams around them who have played five or six times.
The Austrian outfit were made to work hard to earn their spot in the Champions League proper, defeating Eredivisie side Twente before knocking Ukraine's Dinamo Kiev out in the playoffs.
The visitors have a number of players who look set to miss the trip to Czechia through injury including Maurits Kjaergaard, Karim Konate, Daouda Guindo, Takumu Kawamura, Fernando and Leandro Morgalla.
Predicted lineup: Blaswich (GK), Dedic, Piatkowski, Baidoo, Daghim, Gourna-Douath, Diambou, Gloukh, Yeo, Nene & Ratkov
UEFA Champions League 01/10/24
L
Brest
4
FC Salzburg
0
Austria Bundesliga 28/09/24
W
FK Austria Vienna
0
FC Salzburg
2
Austria Cup 25/09/24
W
SC Wiener Viktoria
0
FC Salzburg
4
Austria Bundesliga 22/09/24
D
WSG Swarovski Tirol
0
FC Salzburg
0
UEFA Champions League 18/09/24
L
Sparta Prague
3
FC Salzburg
0
Player to watch: Dorgeles Nene
Mali striker Dorgeles Nene is enjoying his second season with Salzburg where he has started to become a first-team regular.
The 21-year-old scored five times in 24 appearances last season but only six of those were starts, compared to his three starts in four games of the current campaign in which he has scored two goals.
Salzburg's young striker has scored four goals already this season
Nene also scored twice for Salzburg in qualifying for the Champions League so you can see why we have highlighted the young forward as our player to watch on Wednesday evening.
