Sparta Prague kick off their Europa League campaign against Aris Limassol at the Letna Stadium on Thursday evening.

It is the first competitive meeting between the two sides, who are joined by Rangers and Real Betis in Group C.

Match preview

Sparta Prague entered Champions League qualification at the penultimate stage after winning the Czech league title last season, but they bowed out of the competition on penalties, drawing 3-3 on aggregate to Copenhagen.

The Reds may consider themselves unlucky to have been knocked out of Champions League qualification, but they booked their place in the Europa League in style, overturning a 3-1 defeat against Dinamo Zagreb in the first leg of the playoff to win 5-4 on aggregate.

In their domestic league, Brian Priske's side are once again on track to win the league title, having taken 22 points from their opening eight games, which leaves them top, although they are level on points with rivals Slavia Prague.

Sparta Prague are by far the highest scorers in the division, having scored 24 goals, four more than any other side, while they have only shipped five at the other end of the pitch, which is the second-fewest in the league.

Heading into Thursday's game, the Reds should be full of confidence, having won their last four matches on the spin, but they are set to come up against another in-form team.

Aris Limassol are also top of their domestic division, having collected 10 points from their opening four games in the Cypriot league, and that is not the only similarity they share with their opponents on Thursday.

The Light Brigade won their league title last season, which meant they entered the qualification rounds of the Champions League, but they ultimately came up short against Rakow, losing 3-1 over two legs.

Aleksey Shpilevsky's side also had to overturn a defeat in the first leg of their Europa League qualification playoff, having lost 2-1 away at Slovan Bratislava, and they came back in style, recording a 6-2 victory at home to book their place in the group stages.

Aris Limassol are now on a four-game unbeaten run in all competitions, but they will be disappointed they were unable to hold onto their lead in the last match, drawing 1-1 at home against Paphos after Leo Bengtsson's goal was cancelled out by Vlad Dragomir.

Team News

Sparta Prague are set to be without right-wing back Jan Mejdr, who has missed the last five games with injury, meaning Tomas Wiesner is likely to keep his place in the side, in what should be a 3-4-3 system.

Wiesner heads into the match in good form, having scored his third league goal of the season last time out, in what was a 5-0 victory, with Veljko Birmancevic bagging a brace, and the 25-year-old should get the nod at right-wing.

Shpilevsky implemented a 4-2-3-1 formation in Aris Limassol's 6-2 triumph against Slovan Bratislava, and the manager is likely to keep the faith in that side, with Yannick Gomis, who scored a hat-trick that night, set to start in an attacking midfield role.

Bengtsson scored after being brought on as a substitute against Paphos at the weekend, and the Swedish winger could come in on the left, replacing Jaden Montnor in the starting lineup.

Sparta Prague possible starting lineup:
Vindahl; Sorensen, Panak, Krejci; Wiesner, Sadilek, Kairinen, Rynes; Birmancevic, Haraslin, Kuchta

Aris Limassol possible starting lineup:
Alves; Boakye, Brorsson, Yago, Caju; Szoke, Struski, Mayambela, Gomis, Bengtsson; Stepinski

We say: Sparta Prague 2-0 Aris Limassol

Although the two sides share a lot of similarities, Sparta Prague play in a stronger league than their opponents, and they have won their last four games on the spin.

Given that the Reds have home advantage on Thursday night, they should be able to record a relatively comfortable victory.



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