Prediction: Sparta Prague vs FCSB

Verdict: Home win

Best odds: 11/25

Bookmaker: ZetBet

Attempting a comeback to the biggest stage of club football, Sparta Prague hosts FCSB in the first leg of the Champions League semi-final qualifier. The game will be played at Epet Aena in front of 18, 000 fans keen to see the local team taking a decisive advantage before travelling to Bucharest for the final showdown.

Sparta Prague

Starting their European football over six decades ago with an impressive output in the Cup Winner’s Cup, Sparta Prague became a dominant force in Central Europe after reaching the group phase of a European competition, three times in the last four seasons. Although the hosts are yet to reach the Champions League Group stage, the Praga side was close to achieving this status twice in the previous four seasons, falling short in the last qualifying round against AS Monaco and FC Copenhagen.

Following an impressive campaign that saw Sparta knocking out Slavia Prague from their throne, the hosts maintained a high tempo in the play-off Championship group by winning the title with a 2-point lead over their bitter rivals. However, although Sparta Prague is the clear favourite to knock out the Romanian Champions, Lars Friis’s side needs luck to play at the biggest stage in European football by avoiding heavyweights in the final knockout double.

The summer preparations had Lars Friis make final adjustments to his squad proved beneficial, as the new Czech Republic champions ended their tour with a spectacular draw (2-2) against former Austria champions, Salzburg. Furthermore, as the team reached its peak just before the season debut, Sparta Prague opened their title defence with a win against Pardubice (2-1). While the Reds’ busy schedule during this time with games played domestically and in Europe should wear the team, the hosts embarked on a stellar run with five consecutive wins across all competitions.

Although facing an accessible opponent in the previous Champions League qualifying round was not expected to produce any shock, Sparta Prague maintained their status by knocking out Shamrock Rovers in great style (6-2 on aggregate).

In addition to their European perfect start, the current champions started their domestic campaign on the front foot after retaining their Fortuna Liga leader spot with 9 points after three rounds. During this run, the away success at Teplice (4-1) stands out with two goals scored in the stoppage time.

Team News

With no major injury concerns in the squad, Lars Friis will line up a strong attacking formation capable of taking a decisive step towards the next qualifying round before travelling to Bucharest. Victor Olatunji will spearhead the attack looking to strike decisively against FCSB as he did against Shamrock Rovers.

FCSB

After many years of disappointing their fans domestically and in Europe, FCSB won the title last season, benefiting from their rivals’ fall. Despite celebrating the championship victory, the visitors’ ultimate goal is to reach the Champions League Group Stage, a feat last achieved a decade ago.

Opening their Champions League run by destroying San Marino side Virtus (11-1 on aggregate) in the first qualifying round, the Bucharest side avoided a scare against Maccabi Tel Aviv, following a tight doubleheader. Although the Red Blues were tipped to progress at ease, Ellias Charalambous’s side kept their fans’ heartbeat high after settling for a disappointing draw in Bucharest.

However, benefiting from the neutral ground and the short distance travel for the second leg match held in Budapest, the fans took the Hungarian capital by storm and pushed their favourites towards qualification. Still, the Romanian champions needed 90 minutes to finish the job, when Willian Baeten socred after a textbook counterattack. Despite remaining undefeated against Sparta Prague (W3D2), this pattern looks unlikely to hold at the end of the final whistle in Prague since FCSB won a single match from their last four played across all competitions.

Team News

Righ-back Alexandru Pantea has been recovering from a ligament injury since February and will not travel to Prague. Furthermore, talented attacking winger Octavian Popescu joined the recovery room following a pre-season foot surgery.

Key factors to consider

• Sparta Prague has a perfect start to their campaign after winning all competitive games
• The hosts scored 10 goals in the last three games
• FCSB failed to win any games in the Romanian championship domestically (D2, L1)
• The visitors are undefeated against Sparta Prague (W3D2)

Conclusion

Sparta Prague’s perfect start to their campaign, both domestically and in Europe points to a win against FCSB. Furthermore, with the visitors’ upfront quality diminishing after Florinel Coman’s departure, the Bucharest side is expected to leave Epet Aena empty-handed.

Verdict: Home win

Best odds: 11/25

Bookmaker: ZetBet