Sparta Prague and Atletico Madrid will meet for the first time in their respective histories on Tuesday evening when they face off in a crucial Champions League clash.
With both teams struggling to stay consistent in the competition, this game at the Epet Arena promises to be a closely contested affair.
Game preview
Sparta Prague had a mixed start to the Champions League season, winning two of the first four games and losing two.
The Czech club is in 26th place in the overall Champions League table, just one point behind 24th-placed PSV Eindhoven.
Striker Victor Olatunji has been a bright spot for Sparta, scoring eight times this season.
Atletico Madrid, on the other hand, had a difficult start to their European campaign, losing to both Benfica and Lille.
The Spanish giants are currently 23rd in the Champions League table and have picked up just six points from their first four games.
Atletico’s form in La Liga has been more impressive, however, with Diego Simeone’s side in third place in the domestic league, five points behind the leaders Barcelona.
Sparta Prague’s current form is a cause for concern as the team has won just one of their last six games in all competitions.
In their Champions League campaign they earned a 3-0 win over Red Bull Salzburg and a 1-1 draw against Stuttgart, but have since suffered heavy defeats against Manchester City (5-0) and Brest (2-1). .
Atlético Madrid, on the other hand, have performed well, winning their last five games in all competitions, including a crucial 2-1 win against Atlético Madrid Paris Saint Germain in the Champions League.
The red and whites’ recent form in La Liga has also been impressive, with a 2-1 win over Alaves keeping them in the hunt for the league title.
Head to head
This will be the first ever meeting between Sparta Prague and Atletico Madrid as the two teams have never faced each other in a competitive match before.
Team news
Sparta Prague will be without the services of Veljko Birmancevic (thigh) and Angelo Preciado (knee) due to injuries.
Meanwhile, Atletico Madrid will once again be without the injured Thomas Lemar, and Robin Le Normand is also unlikely to feature.
Expected starting lineups
Sparta Prague (4-3-3):
Vindahl;
Vitik, Panak, Cobbaut;
Wiesner, Laci, Kairinen, Rynes;
Pesek, Olatunji, Rrahmani
Atlético Madrid (4-4-2):
Oblak;
Azpilicueta, Gimenez, Lenglet, Galan;
Llorente, De Paul, Barrios, Gallagher;
Griezmann, Alvarez
forecast
This game is expected to be closely contested with both teams desperate to get a positive result.
Sparta Prague have shown that they can be tough opponents at home, but Atlético Madrid’s recent form and success in the Champions League suggests they are ahead.
The Spanish giants’ ability to produce results, coupled with their attacking power, could make the difference in this encounter.
- Result prediction: Sparta Prague – Atlético Madrid 0-2
Betting tips
– Atletico Madrid wins
– Under 2.5 goals
– Antoine Griezmann can score at any time