Viking vs Sparta Prague
28 July 1800hrs
Football – Europe – Europa Conference League
Pick Sparta Prague
Bookmaker William Hill
Odds: 10/11 odds taken 2000 GMT, Monday 12 July
There was nothing to separate Viking and Sparta Prague when they met last weekend so it is all to play for when the two go head to head again.
Table of Contents
Viking Preview – Can Viking make home advantage count as they bid to progress to next stage?
Viking are will into their domestic season and currently sit fourth in the Norwegian top-flight. They’re eight points behind leaders Molde and having played more games than all of the teams currently above them, their title ambitions are probably over for this season, with their attention turning to European football – both qualifying for the group stages of this competition and attempting to qualify for the following campaign.
Viking’s form has been fairly inconsistent in recent times. Their last 10 games have seen them win three and lose four – the most recent of those coming on Sunday away to Valerenga which seen them drop out the European places. One of the three draws in that spell came in the first leg of this tie, away in Prague.
Sparta Prague Preview – Will Sparta live up to favourites tag and improve on first leg performance?
Unlike their opponents, Sparta’s domestic season is yet to get underway – they will play their opening league game on Sunday when hosting Slovan Liberec. That meant the first leg was their first competitive game of the new campaign and it probably showed. Not just that, but it was also the first game in charge for Danish coach Brian Priske who took over in the summer – joining from Royal Antwerp having also won the domestic title a couple of his times in his homeland.
His objective will be to return Sparta to the top of Czech football. They finished third last season and have not won the title since 2014 – so there is some way to go.
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In addition to domestic success, Sparta will also be keen to get into the group stage of this competition. They have been competing in the Europa League in recent times but did drop into the Conference League last season, losing 3-1 on aggregate to Partizan Belgrade in what was the playoff round in the knockout phase.
The task of having a productive season has been made harder with the loss of Adam Hlozek who has moved to Bayer Leverkusen for over £10m. Sparta have attempted to mitigate that departure with the arrival of Czech international striker Jan Kuchta.
Viking vs Sparta Prague Betting Advice
It’s as finely balanced a tie as you can get at the halfway stage. Viking – although underdogs – now have home advantage in addition to being halfway through their season. Sparta have the better quality of the two and are still favourites to progress despite being held at home in the first leg.
The winners of this tie will feel confident of reaching the playoff stage as well. With Sligo Rovers or Motherwell lying in wait in the next round.
Key Facts – Viking vs Sparta Prague Betting Tip
- Viking currently sit in fourth place in their domestic league, eight points off leaders Molde
- Sparta dropped into last season’s Europa Conference League, losing out in the last 32 to Partizan Belgrade
- The winners of this team will face Sligo Rovers or Motherwell in the next round
There is certainly an argument to be made for the hosts here but you just sense Sparta will be fitter and sharper for this return game. Their greater European pedigree can give them the edge in this one.
Best Betting Odds for Viking vs Sparta Prague
