Sparta Prague Vs Lille
Sparta Prague Vs Lille Thursday 22nd October 2020 – 20:00 Kick-Off
UEFA Europa League Group H
Pick: Sparta Prague or Draw (Double Chance)
Odds: 9/10
Bookmaker: Unibet
(All betting odds correct at time of writing: 20th October 2020)
Preview: Group H of the 2020-21 UEFA Europa League begins in Prague, Czech Republic, for this duo. Sparta Prague are often a tough nut to crack in their own backyard, and are the current league leaders back home, but so too are Lille who sit atop France’s Ligue 1 standings. Will there be any separating the sides inside Stadion Letná?
UEFA Europa League Betting at Bet365
Table of Contents
Sparta Prague Preview – The Reds will attack for the win?
The club from the Czech Republic are certainly no strangers to playing in Europe, with this their 38th consecutive season in European competition. More recently, though, their skirmishes on the continent have been curtailed almost as soon as they had begun, bowing out in the Europa League qualifying rounds in each of the previous three seasons before their capture of the Czech Cup in 2019-20 helped book a place in Group H.
On their last group stage appearance in this competition, Sparta Prague did more than merely hold their own, finishing above Inter Milan – who are the current Europa League holders – and Southampton to progress as winners of their section. They won all three encounters in Prague, at their Generali Arena, and will host this Matchday 1 meeting currently unbeaten in their past 15 European home matches.
Furthermore, this team is still to put a foot out of place domestically, registering six successive victories to begin the latest Czech First Division season. A feat achieved achieved despite conceding at least once in all but one encounter, relying instead on outscoring the opposition. It is a tactic which has undoubtedly worked so far after plundering 20 goals, scoring two or more in each, at a rate of 3.33 per game.
Lille Preview – Les Douges yet to conquer Europe?
In fourth place when football in France was brought to a premature conclusion in March, Lille consequently found themselves facing up to a 2020-21 campaign in the Europa League as opposed to the Champions League, where they spent the early part of last term. But after an encouraging showing domestically in these first few weeks of the season, Christophe Galtier’s side will be keen to double down in Europe.
Les Douges have started the season brightly, so much so in fact that after seven games they are still to suffer a defeat (W5 D2) as they occupy top spot in Ligue 1, amassing two points more than perennial French champions Paris Saint-Germain. Key to this early momentum has been an imperious defensive effort: so far this season they have conceded only twice, at a miserly rate of 0.29 per game.
All five victories accrued in 2020-21 thus far were accompanied by a clean sheet for Lille, who come into their Group H opener full of belief having won their last three league matches. Replicating this form on the European stage might be easier said than done, however, with the club without a win in continental competition in seventeen games, failing to register an away win in their previous eight attempts (D2 L6).
Don’t miss out on other Betting Tips & Predictions
Click here for more Betting Tips
Sparta Prague vs Lille Betting Advice
We should be in for a competitive encounter in the Czech capital of Prague, where Sparta Prague will look to continue where they left off domestically having won all six matches of the new Czech First Division. It is a record which Lille can almost match, but not quite, after opening their accounts in Ligue 1 with an equally as impressive, if not more so, five wins and two draws to top the standings in France.
Sparta Prague vs Lille – Key Facts
- The 2020-21 domestic season in Czech Republic has begun flawlessly for Sparta Prague who have won all six fixtures thus far, scoring 20 goals in the process for the loss of six.
- Lille currently sit atop France’s Ligue 1 standings after registering five wins and two draws from their opening seven matches, scoring a modest 13 times but conceding just twice.
- These clubs are meeting for the first time. Sparta Prague are currently unbeaten in 15 home European games whereas Lille are winless in their last eight European away matches.
Their respective European records is perhaps where some discrepancy creeps in. Particularly for Lille who haven’t won in eight European away games, and were given a chastening experience in last season’s Champions League when collecting one point for their group stage endeavours. This is obviously a step down from that. Sparta Prague boast an abundance of experience at this level though, as well as an ominous home record.
Best Betting Odds – Sparta Prague vs Lille
Sparta Prague – 3/1 (Unibet)
Draw – 13/5 (BetFred)
Lille – Evens (Betway)
