This promises to be an action-packed encounter for Sparta Praha at Epet Arena when the Europa League tournament arrives in town and Rangers with it. Read all about the Group Stage match here!
Rangers have a very long trip to this away game, as there's more than 1800 kilometers in distance to cover. This could prove a challenge, at least for the supporters.
The hosts Sparta saw competitive action as recent as four days ago, playing in the Czech Liga. Thankfully the previous game, versus Ceske Budejovice, was also a home game here at Epet Arena. The away team is better rested.
Sparta Praha form and stats
Sparta Praha have been outstanding at home so far in the Czech Liga with 6 wins, 0 draws and only 0 losses.
A nice win for Sparta Praha last time playing, versus Ceske Budejovice. That was also a home game and the match ended 4-0 with Pešek, Ševčík, Kairinen and Sørensen scoring for the victors. As mentioned above, Sparta Praha "killed" Ceske Budejovice in their previous game. They need to reset completely for this one and beware of complacency.
Before that match, a Czech Liga win away at Hradec Kralove.The hosts are modest favourites in this match, with the bookmakers estimating the chance of a home win at about 50% +- five percent. It's interesting to look at how Sparta have performed under similar circumstances, so here are some numbers: When modest favourites like this (we found 5 games) they have won 3 times, drawn 2 and lost 0.
The manager Friis will start preparations for the next game as soon this is finished, as the hosts are going to Mlada Boleslav in only three days.
It's goals goals goals for Sparta Praha who have scored 21 goals from 6 league home games. Sparta Praha are not conceding a lot of goals here at Epet Arena in the league, averaging less than one per game. The total is 4 from 6 matches.
Rangers form and stats
Playing away, Rangers have won 0 games, drawn 0 and suffered 0 defeats in the league this season.
Impressive finishing from Raskin, Dessers and Sima (2) secured the home win 4-0 against Hibernian in their previous game. As mentioned above, Rangers was the only team on the pitch versus Hibernian in their previous game, winning 4-0. This could be a tougher task. Midfield player Sima was the top player of the team with a match rating of 9.04/10. Sima scored two goals.
Preceding that game was the away Premiership victory against St. Mirren with the score of 3-0.The visitors are returning home after this fixture, hosting Hearts in just three days.
Head 2 Head
H2H stats regardless of arena (last two matches): Sparta one win, zero draws and Rangers one victory. As for goals, zero matches ended with three or more goals (over 2,5), two games had two or less.
Top Goalscorers
  L. Haraslín 7 goals |  J. Kuchta 5 goals |   A. Sima 5 goals |
Sparta Praha missing players
Rangers missing players
| Sparta Praha | Rangers | ||||||
| Total | Home | Statistics | Stat | Away | Total | ||
| 25 | 12 | Played | P | 10 | 25 | ||
| 14 | 9 | Won | W | 5 | 14 | ||
| 7 | 1 | Drew | D | 2 | 4 | ||
| 4 | 2 | Lost | L | 3 | 7 | ||
| 52 | 34 | Scored | S | 18 | 48 | ||
| 25 | 14 | Conceded | C | 12 | 28 | ||
| 92% | 100% | Over 0.5 | O 0.5 | 100% | 100% | ||
| 80% | 92% | Over 1.5 | O 1.5 | 90% | 84% | ||
| 56% | 83% | Over 2.5 | O 2.5 | 60% | 72% | ||
| 40% | 58% | Over 3.5 | O 3.5 | 30% | 40% | ||
| 24% | 42% | Over 4.5 | O 4.5 | 10% | 4% | ||
| 64% | 67% | BTTS | BTTS | 50% | 52% | ||
| 32% | 25% | Clean Sheets | C S | 40% | 40% | ||
| 12% | 8% | Failed to Score | F T | 10% | 8% | ||
| 5.4 | 6.2 | Corners for (avg) | C F | 5.3 | 5.7 | ||
| 4.2 | 3.9 | Corners against (avg) | C A | 4.3 | 4.3 | ||
| 1.8 | 1.4 | Yellow cards (avg) | Y C | 1.1 | 1.4 | ||
| 4 | 1 | Red cards | R C | 0 | 1 | ||
| 14.3 | 17.7 | Shots (avg) | S ( | 15 | 16.3 | ||
| 6 | 8.6 | Shots on Target (avg) | S O | 5.3 | 6.1 | ||
| 35% | 33% | Goal Efficiency | G E | 34% | 32% | ||
| 9.7 | 8.3 | Shots against (avg) | S A | 10.5 | 9.2 | ||
| 3.2 | 2.9 | Shots on Target against (avg) | S O | 3.8 | 3.4 | ||
| Total | Home | Away | |||||||||||||||||||
| # | Team | MP | W | D | L | F | A | MP | W | D | L | F | A | MP | W | D | L | F | A | +/- | P |
| 1 | Aris Limassol | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 4 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 0 | 3 |
| 2 | Sparta Praha | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 4 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 3 |
| 3 | Rangers | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 3 |
| 4 | Real Betis | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 3 |
| Total | Home | Away | |||||||||||||||||||
| # | Team | MP | W | D | L | F | A | MP | W | D | L | F | A | MP | W | D | L | F | A | +/- | P |
| 1 | Aris Limassol | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 4 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 0 | 3 |
| 2 | Sparta Praha | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 4 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 3 |
| 3 | Rangers | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 3 |
| 4 | Real Betis | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 3 |
