Galatasaray vs Sparta Praha Preview, Prediction and Betting Tips
Galatasaray vs Sparta Praha Match Preview
Galatasaray begin their UEFA Europa League and take on Sparta Prague in Final Stage. The Turkish side made it to the second tier of the European competition, while the Czech Republic side finished 2nd in their group and have to play an extra game to make it to the Round of 16.
Galatasaray is in top form this season, and have won their last given matches in all competitions. They defeated Istanbul Basaksehir 2-0 over the weekend and will be confident of getting a win on Thursday night.
The Super Lig side have a tough time keeping clean sheets and have managed just two in their last six matches. However, they have conceded just once in four of those six games, while conceding twice just once – against Bandirmaspor in the Turkish Cup, when they rested most of their first-team players.
Sparta Prague are also in fine form this season and are on top of the Czech First League table. They have lost just once in the league and won 17 of their 20 matches – helping them top the table by 5 points.
In their last match, Sparta Prague faced Karvina away from home and eased to a 3-0 win. Ladislav Krejcí, Adam Karabec, and Jan Kuchta scored the goals for the table toppers, and they will be hoping to keep the form going in the UEFA Europa League.
Both sides are on a stunning unbeaten run in all competitions and have won all of their last ten games.
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Team News & Predicted Lineups
Galatasaray will be looking to keep their momentum going and win at home to Sparta Prague. Okan Buruk will have a near fully fit squad to pick from on Thursday night.
While most of the regulars will be available for the manager, Sérgio Oliveira, Abdülkerim Bardakci, and Hakim Ziyech will be out injured. The trio have been an important part of the squad, but Buruk will have enough players to replace them in the matchday squad. Serge Aurier will also remain unavailable after he was involved at the AFCON and won the tournament with Ivory Coast.
Muslera will be in goal as usual, with Ayhan, Sanchez, Nelsson, and Kutlu starting in front of him in defense. Kerem Demirbay is likely to be deployed as the defensive midfielder along with Lucas Torreira in place of Oliveira.
Yilmaz, Mertens, and Aktürkoglu are expected to be the picks in the attacking part of the midfield, with Mauro Icardi leading the attack for the Turkish side.
Predicted XI: Muslera; Ayhan, Sanchez, Nelsson, Kutlu; Demirbay, Torreira; Yilmaz, Mertens, Zaha; Icardi
Sparta Prague come into the game with their own headaches and will be hoping to get a draw and then take things back for the home leg of the tie. Brian Priske has a couple of players missing from the match, but his system is expected to remain the same.
Andreas Vindheim remains out for the Czech Republic side as he has been out for a long time with an undisclosed injury. Lukas Haraslin missed the 3-0 win over Karvina over the weekend and could be out of the Europa League clash too.
Vitik is expected to make a return to the defense with Krejci and Panak in front of Vindahl in goal. Perciado and Zeleny are the ones likely to start as the wing-backs and will have a key role in keeping Zaha and Yilmaz quiet.
Kairinen and Laci are likely to play in the heart of the midfield for the visiting side, and they will be looking to control the match. Karabec, Kuchta, and Birmancevic will be the ideal trio to lead the attack and will look to trouble the Galatasaray defence.
Predicted XI: Vindahl; Vitik, Krejci, Panak; Preciado, Kairinen, Laci, Zeleny; Karabec, Kuchta, Birmancevic
Head-to-Head
Last 5 Games H2H
Galatasaray 1-1 Sparta Prague
Sparta Prague 3-1 Galatasaray
Galatasaray have faced Sparta Prague just twice in history, and both were in the Preliminary Round of the UEFA Cup. The Czech Republic side won the first leg and managed to make it through with a 1-1 draw in Turkey in the second leg.
However, this time, Galatasaray will be the favorites in this clash despite both teams being in good form.
Prediction
Both teams are in fine form right now, but the home team will have the advantage because of their fans. RAMS Park tends to make things difficult for the away teams, and they will be the 12th man for the Super Lig side.
Galatasaray 2-1 Sparta Prague
Betting Tips
Galatasaray win or Draw.
Both Teams To Score: Yes.
Over 2.5 Goals: Yes.
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Odds
Galatasaray Win: 1.74
Draw: 4.05
Sparta Prague Win: 5.50
Galatasaray vs Sparta Praha Timings & Telecast
Date: 15th Feb 2024, 5:45 PM (GMT)
- India: Sony Liv, Sony Sports Network
- United Kingdom: TNT Sports
- US: CBS Sport
- Turkey: Exxen TV8,5
- Czech Republic: AMC Networks ČT