Prediction: Match to end in a 1-1 draw
Best Odds: 149/20
Shamrock Rovers and Sparta Prague will lock horns with each other in the UEFA Champions League Second Qualifying Round this week. The match between the League of Ireland Premier Division club and the Czech First League team will be held at the Tallaght Stadium and is scheduled to kick off at 8 pm UK time on Tuesday. It is the first leg of the tie.
Shamrock Rovers
Shamrock Rovers are the biggest, the most well-known and most successful club in the Republic Of Ireland. They have won the League of Ireland Premier Division as many as 21 times and the FAI Cup on 25 occasions.
Stephen Bradley’s side will be determined to progress to the next stage of the UEFA Champions League Qualifying Round. They beat Vikingur Reykjavik over two legs in the First Qualifying Round and will be looking to step up their game.
The Rovers played out a goalless draw with Vikingur Reykjavik in the first leg before winning the second leg 2-1 to book their place in the UEFA Champions League Second Qualifying Round 2-1 on aggregate.
Team News:
Shamrock Rovers are likely to line up in a 3-5-2 formation. Pohls will be in goal for the first team and will have Cleary, Lopes and Honohan ahead of him in defence. Nugent, Watts, O’Neill, Clarke and Hoare will be deployed in midfield. Kenny and Greene will lead the line for the club from the Republic of Ireland.
Sparta Prague
Sparta Prague are one of the biggest clubs in the Czech Republic and regularly play in the UEFA Champions League and the UEFA Europa League. Although they are not expected to win any major competitions anytime soon, they are always a force to be reckoned with.
Lars Friis’s side won the Czech First League title last season. Železná Sparta picked up 76 points from 30 matches in the regular campaign, four points more than city rivals Slavia Prague, who ended the campaign in second place. They also ended up as first in their Championship playoff group.
Sparta Prague did not play in UEFA Champions League First Qualifying Round. They are also in action in the domestic league. Lars Friis’s side have picked up three points from one game so far this season.
Team News:
Sparta Prague are likely to line up in a 3-4-3 formation. Jensen will be ine goal for the visiting team. Vitik, Panak and Zeleny will be the three defenders. Wiesner, Pavelka, Sadilek and Rynes will be in midfield. Danek, Olatunji and Birmancevic will be the three forwards.
Key Factors to Consider
- Shamrock Rovers have lost 3 of their last 6 matches in all competitions.
- Shamrock Rovers have won 2 of their last 6 matches in all competitions.
- Shamrock Rovers have drawn 1 of their last 6 matches in all competitions.
- Sparta Prague have won the Czech First League title 38 times.
- Sparta Prague have reached the semi-finals of the UEFA Champions League/European Cup once.
Conclusion
Sparta Prague are more experienced than Shamrock Rovers and have played in major European competitions. They do have a better team, but Rovers are the home team and could be able to eke out a draw in front of their fans.
Prediction: Match to end in a 1-1 draw
Best Odds: 149/20
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