Sparta Prague vs Liverpool – Thursday 7th March, 17:45
Sparta vs Liverpool in the 2010/11 season. The game ended 0-0.
Liverpool will travel to central Europe to face the Czech League champions Sparta Praha on Thursday evening, in the first leg of their Europa League round of 16 tie.
Both teams come into the fixture as leaders in their respective leagues, with Sparta four points clear of rivals Slavia Praha. They came second in their Europa League group, having only fallen one point short of Rangers in group C.
Sparta Praha fact sheet:
- Top scorer = Lukas Haraslin (14 goals)
- Goals scored this season in all comps = 64
- Goals conceded this season in all comps = 22
- Manager = Brian Priske
- Last game = 0-0 draw with Slavia Praha
- xG per match = 1.88
- xG at home = 2.08
- Goals scored per match = 2.5
- At home = 2.91
- Goals conceded per match = 0.68
- At home = 0.55
Certainly, the stats suggest this will not be an easy fixture for Liverpool. The Czech champions are a deadly attacking outfit, with a firm and resilient defensive unit. They have won 19/23 games in the league this season, and will be full of confidence.
Darwin Nunez celebrating his 99th minute winner at Nottingham Forest on Saturday
Liverpool come into the fixture on the back of a dramatic 1-0 victory against Nottingham Forest at the weekend. The 99th minute hero, Darwin Nunez, will be looking to add to his 2 Europa League goals this season, and looks in line to start after his excellent cameo on Saturday.
Jurgen Klopp will be wary of receiving any more injuries and adding to an already extensive unavailable list, especially with a title-deciding clash at home to Manchester City just around the corner. This could mean youngsters Jayden Danns, Bobby Clark and Jarrel Quansah will be involved.
Liverpool in the Europe League this season:
- 6 matches
- 4 wins
- 2 losses
- 17 goals scored
- 7 goals conceded
- 2.06 xG
- 1.10 xGA