Seeking to overturn a two-goal deficit, Sparta Prague play host to Dinamo Zagreb at the epet ARENA in the second leg of their Europa League playoff tie on Thursday evening.
Dinamo will be looking to finish the job and secure their place in the Europa League group stage when they travel to Czechia after claiming a 3-1 first-leg triumph last week.
Match preview
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After failing to qualify for European competition last season, Sparta Prague are at least guaranteed a Europa Conference League spot this term, but their chances of booking their place in the Europa League group stage are slim following last week's first-leg loss to Dinamo.
Sparta looked set to be heading into half time in front after Ladislav Krejci tucked away the opening goal from the penalty spot in the 39th minute, but Dinamo restored parity five minutes later through Dario Spikic before second-half strikes from Dino Peric and Luka Ivanusec helped the Croatian outfit take control of the tie.
Brian Priske's side responded with a 3-1 home win over Karvina in the Czech First League on Sunday – a result that ended a three-game winless run in all tournaments. Adam Karabec and Matej Rynes were both on the scoresheet before the former was sent off for violent conduct just before the hour mark, and although a late strike from Karvina's Rajmund Mikus set up a nervy finish for the hosts, David Pavelka restored their two-goal cushion to maintain their unbeaten start to the new league season.
Sparta have now won six of their last nine home matches in all competitions, but their last European tie on home soil just two weeks ago ended in disappointing fashion, as they suffered a 4-2 defeat on penalties to Copenhagen following a 3-3 second-leg draw to crash out in the third round of Champions League qualifying.
The Czech side are hoping for better fortunes on Thursday, and they will need to up their game if they wish to beat Dinamo on aggregate for a second time in Europa League qualifying having previously prevailed via the away goals rule after drawing 3-3 over two legs in a first-round qualifier back in 2008-09.
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Dinamo Zagreb's first-leg success over Sparta was their first victory under new head coach Sergej Jakirovic, who replaced Igor Biscan just hours after their elimination from Champions League qualifying just under two weeks ago.
Jakirovic has since made it two wins from two after guiding his new side to a 2-1 derby triumph over Rijeka in the Croatian 1. HNL last Sunday courtesy of goals from Marko Bulat and Bruno Petkovic, although they remain eight points behind league leaders Hadjuk Split.
The 46-year-old is now gearing up for another "tough game" against Sparta on Thursday and has encouraged his players to "prepare well" for the second leg if they are to advance to the Europa League group stage.
Dinamo will be confident of success in Czechia as they have put together an eight-game unbeaten run away from home, while they have never lost to Sparta in four previous meetings in all competitions.
Team News
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After making six changes to the side that beat Karvina last weekend, Sparta Prague boss Priske is expected to revert to a similar lineup that started in the first leg against Dinamo Zagreb.
Krejci and Filip Panak could return at centre-back to start alongside Asger Sorensen, while Tomas Wiesner and Jaroslav Zeleny may take up the wing-back roles either side of midfield duo Lukas Sadilek and Kaan Kairinen.
Veljko Birmancevic and Lukas Haraslin are expected to return in attack, while Rynes, Victor Olatunji and Jan Kutcha will all battle for the final spot up front.
As for Dinamo, Ivan Nevistic has started the last two games between the sticks since the departure of star goalkeeper Dominik Livakovic to Fenerbahce last week, and he is expected to keep his place in the first XI on Thursday.
Peric and Stefan Ristovski could retain their partnership at centre-back, while Martin Baturina will be hoping to start his third successive game in midfield ahead of Bohdan Mykhaylichenko.
Petkovic ended a seven-game goal drought when he got on the scoresheet last weekend and the Croatian striker is set to lead the line once again, with Josip Drmic and Mahir Emreli providing cover on the substitutes' bench.
Sparta Prague possible starting lineup:
Vindahl Jensen; Sorensen, Panak, Krejci; Wiesner, Kairinen, Sadilek, Zeleny; Birmancevic, Kuchta, Haraslin
Dinamo Zagreb possible starting lineup:
Nevistic; Moharrami, Ristovski, Peric, Ljubicic; Bulat, Misic; Spikic, Baturina, Ivanusec; Petkovic
We say: Sparta Prague 1-2 Dinamo Zagreb (Dinamo Zagreb to win 5-2 on aggregate)
The onus is on Sparta Prague to take the game to Dinamo Zagreb on home soil and show a greater threat in the final third if they are to overturn the two-goal deficit.
However, the visitors appear to have turned a corner since the appointment of Jakirovic and we expect the Croatian side to come away with another victory to book their place in the Europa League group stage.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
