Tuesday, December 17

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Sports Mole previews Tuesday's Champions League clash between Shamrock Rovers and Sparta Prague, including predictions, team news and possible lineups.

In the first leg of the second Champions League qualifying round, Shamrock Rovers are set to host Sparta Prague at the Tallaght Stadium on Tuesday.

The home side are currently fourth in the League of Ireland with 34 points after 23 games, while the visitors have three points in Czech Republic's top flight after one matchweek.

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Match preview

© Imago

The hosts overcame Vikingur Reykjavik 2-1 in the second leg of the first Champions League qualifying round on July 16 after the first leg ended in a 0-0 draw on July 9.

Rovers took a 2-0 lead in the second leg thanks to goals from Johnny Kenny in the eighth and 20th minute, before substitute Nikolaj Hansen halved the deficit for Vikingur with half an hour left.

It should be noted that in the second half Vikingur missed a penalty eight minutes into stoppage time.

Last term, the hosts were knocked out of the Champions League on July 18 in the first qualifying round after losing 3-1 on aggregate against Breidablik.

The home side will be disappointed with their showing in Ireland's top flight this season considering they have won the previous four titles and are currently 13 points from leaders Shelbourne with 13 games left to play.

Manager Stephen Bradley has been in charge since November 2016, and in his time as Rovers boss his team have never finished below third place.

Bradley's side come into Tuesday's game in mixed form having lost three, won two and drawn one of their last six games in all competitions.

© Imago

Meanwhile, opponents Sparta Prague have won once, drawn once and lost once in their last three games in all competitions, but prior to this they went unbeaten in 15 fixtures, winning 12 of these games.

Unlike their hosts, the Reds did not play in the first Champions League qualifying round and are entering the competition at the second stage as they won their domestic league in the 2023-24 season.

The visitors won the title in 2023-24 after they topped the table in the regular season with 76 points from 30 games, before they also topped their championship playoff group and ended the season with 87 points from 35 matches.

During the regular season, Sparta Prague scored 70 goals and conceded 26 times, and this made them the division's best offensive and second-best defensive team.

In the current campaign, the away side have three points after one matchweek.

Manager Lars Friis has been in charge since June 2024, although he had previously worked as an assistant to former coach Brian Priske from 2022 until his appointment as boss in 2024.

Friis's side failed to win their last two away games, although both were friendlies, and prior to this they did win their previous seven matches on the road.

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Team News

© Imago

Rovers will certainly be without Jack Byrne for Tuesday's clash as the playmaker was sent off for a second booking late on in their second-leg match against Vikingur Reykjavik.

More positively, Darragh Nugent could come back into the starting XI after he served his suspension by missing the second leg against Vikingur on July 16.

Defender Lee Grace could also be set for a return to action after taking a place on the bench last time out against Bohemians.

Graham Burke, Markus Poom, Aaron McEneff and Rory Gaffney were not as fortunate as Grace, and all four are injury doubts for the match.

The visitors come into the game without midfielder Kaan Kairinen due to a broken leg, and he is not expected to return until October.

Elsewhere, expect striker Victor Olatunji to lead the forward line, while Matej Rynes scored last time out for Sparta Prague against Pardubice on July 19 and could start once again.

Shamrock Rovers possible starting lineup:
Pohls; Cleary, Lopes, Honohan; Nugent, Watts, O'Neill, Clarke, Hoare; Kenny, Greene

Sparta Prague possible starting lineup:
Jensen; Vitik, Panak, Zeleny; Wiesner, Pavelka, Sadilek, Rynes; Danek, Olatunji, Birmancevic

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We say: Shamrock Rovers 1-3 Sparta Prague

Shamrock Rovers struggled to hold onto the lead against Vikingur, and if they repeat their second leg performance in this round, then they will no doubt struggle once again.

Additionally, considering the Irish champions have performed relatively poorly in their domestic league this season, Sparta Prague could take advantage in Europe on Tuesday.


For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.

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