With the monumental Premier League title bout against Manchester City just a few days away, Liverpool must first navigate a difficult Europa League road trip as they travel to the Czech Republic to take on Sparta Prague.
As Liverpool work through a brutal gauntlet of injuries, Jurgen Klopp will be exceedingly careful knowing a pivotal moment in the English top flight is very close on the horizon. The Reds have relied heavily on a host of academy graduates in recent weeks as stars such as Mohamed Salah, Darwin Nunez, and Alisson do their best to regain fitness as quickly as possible.
With so many players sidelined, the academy players will likely play a big role here yet again, with Jayden Danns, Conor Bradley, Bobby Clark, Jarell Quansah, and others in line for European playing time.
Sparta Prague sit first in the Czech First League table, with a four-point lead over cross-town rivals Slavia Prague thanks to just one defeat on the entire league season. They finished second in their Europa League group just a point behind Rangers, and topped Turkish giants Galatasaray 6-4 on aggregate in their knockout playoff matchup.
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Sparta Prague vs Liverpool prediction, odds Moneyline lean: Draw (+295) Score prediction: Sparta Prague 2-2 LiverpoolThe Reds would be thrilled to get out of Prague with the aggregate scoreline level, knowing they have such a monumental Premier League match to come on Sunday. Liverpool would sign on for a draw in this match all day long, knowing they can set up a one-off match back at Anfield in the second leg.
Jurgen Klopp will have the academy kids well aware of how difficult it can be to play on the road in European competitions, and expecting a battered and bruised Liverpool side to emerge victorious would be a lofty bar to clear, but an entertaining draw against a high-scoring opponent is a reasonable expectation.
Sparta Prague vs Liverpool match facts Date: Thursday, Mar. 7, 2024 Kickoff time: 6:45 p.m. local (12:45 p.m. ET / 9:45 a.m. PT) Location: epet ARENA (Prague, Czech Republic) Referee: Jose Maria Sanchez Martinez (SPA), VAR: Juan Martinez Munuera (SPA) Last meeting: Liverpool 1-0 Sparta Prague (Feb. 24, 2011 | Europa League) Sparta Prague vs Liverpool best bet Pick: Over 3 total goals Odds: +100 (DraftKings)In a perfect world, Jurgen Klopp would surely wish to keep a lid on this match, but it's unlikely he has the players to do so. This inexperienced and youthful squad likely to take the pitch in Prague will be energised to make their mark, and the game would become a track meet.
Sparta Prague have scored 55 goals in their 23 league games, and they retained that identity in European play, playing out high-flying matches against Galatasaray that ended 3-2 in Istanbul and 4-1 in Prague. Even back in the Europa League group stage, Sparta Prague met or exceeded this three-goal total in games against Aris Limassol twice (3-2 and 3-1), Real Betis (2-1), and Rangers (2-1).
Sparta Prague vs Liverpool prop bet Pick: Jayden Danns anytime goal scorer Odds: +175 (DraftKings)With almost every starting forward for Liverpool struggling for fitness, Jurgen Klopp has had to dip deep into the club's youth ranks for playing time. Cody Gakpo has been the regular starter in the absence of Mohamed Salah, Diogo Jota, and Darwin Nunez, but he just hasn't had it working.
It's been 18-year-old Jayden Danns who has looked brightest in his three substitute appearances, looking positive against Chelsea in the EFL Cup final before scoring a brace against Southampton in the FA Cup. He was again used off the bench against Nottingham Forest in the last-gasp Premier League victory over the weekend, and it would be surprising for him not to earn his first start here based on performances compared to Gakpo, especially as the Dutchman could be potentially needed against Manchester City depending on the fitness of the others.
Sparta Prague vs Liverpool live stream, TV channel TV channel Streaming USA TUDN Paramount+, Fubo Canada — DAZN UK TNT Sports 1 discovery+The English-language broadcast rights to the UEFA Champions League and Europa League in the United States are owned exculsively by CBS Sports, who make every match available to watch on its streaming platform Paramount+, which has a free trial for new users.
There is also a Spanish-language television broadcast available on TUDN, which can be streamed on Fubo in the USA.
In Canada, UEFA club competitions are streamed exclusively by DAZN. In the UK, meanwhile, this match will be televised by TNT Sports 1, with steaming on discovery+.
