Sparta Prague vs Atletico Madrid Prediction, Preview, Lineups and Team News | Champions League, November 26, 2024

Sparta Prague vs Atletico Madrid Preview

• Tournament: Champions League
• Date: Tuesday, Nov 26
• Kick-off Time: 05:45 pm GMT
• Venue: Epet ARENA, Czechia

Czech champions Sparta Prague will play host to Spanish giants Atletico Madrid in their fifth game of the 2024/25 Champions League season at Epet ARENA. Both teams are heading into the European competition on the back of solid domestic form.

Hosts Sparta Prague are currently sitting at 4th in the domestic league standings and have been excellent at home this season. They are competing in the Champions League for the first time in two decades and have suffered a huge blow in their title defence. This match will be the first meeting between these two clubs on a European level.

Meanwhile, Atletico Madrid secured a 2-1 win over Alaves in their recent game, make it five straight wins in all competitions. There will be pressure on Diego Simeone’s side who have managed only two wins from their five opening Champions League games. Atletico remain outside the playoff spots but the home side does not stand a chance of winning this tie.

Sparta Prague Team News

Sparta will be without the services of Imanol Garcia and Elias Cobbaut. Indrit Tuci is also out with an unspecified injury whereas Lukas Haraslin is still struggling with his hamstring trouble.

Atletico Madrid Team News

As for Atletico Madrid, they would be without the services of Thomas Lemar, Marcos Llorente, Robin Le Normand and Cesar Azpilicueta once again in this European tie. Julian Alvarez and Antoine Griezmann are likely to be the front two in the attack and Conora Gallagher could make a return in the middle of the park.

Sparta Prague vs Atletico Madrid Predicted Lineups

Sparta Prague predicted lineup (3-4-3):

Goalkeeper: Vindahl

Defenders: Vitik, Panak, Zeleny

Midfielders: Preciado, Kairinen, Laci, Wiesner

Forwards: Birmancevic, Rrahmani, Haraslin

Atletico Madrid predicted lineup (4-4-1-1):

Goalkeeper: Oblak

Defenders: Molina, Gimenez, Lenglet, Reinildo

Midfielders: Simeone, Barrios, Koke, Gallagher

Forwards: Griezmann; Alvarez

Head-to-Head Record

The two sides have never faced off each other in a major competition.

Key Players to Watch in Sparta Prague vs Atletico Madrid

Kaan Kairinen (Sparta Prague)

The 25-year-old is indispensable in the middle of the park and dictates the pace with sharp precision on the ball. The Finnish scored two goals in the opening two games of the tournament.

Antoine Griezmann (Atletico Madrid)

The veteran attacker is known for his goalscoring instincts and has been an undisputed starter in Diego Simeone’s squad. The Frenchman has bagged five goals and five assists in 18 appearances across all competitions. Antoine Griezmann will decide on his future with the club at the end of the season.

Sparta Prague vs Atletico Madrid Prediction

The Czech giants had a few disappointing weeks in the domestic weeks before the international break and have managed just one win in their last seven matches across all competitions. Sparta are now sitting fourth in the league standings and have secured a hard-fought 1-1 draw with Teplice in their latest tie. The Maroons will now shift their focus back to the Champions League and have a formidable squad this season. But the visiting side are heavily expected to grab the three points in this midweek tie.

As for Atletico Madrid, they are witnessing a similar Champions League campaign as they have won two and lost two in Europe so far. Diego Simeone’s men currently sit outside of the playoff positions and have stuttered on a few occasions this season. The Red and Whites lost back-to-back European fixtures to Benfica and Lille in October and are coming off a 2-1 win over Deportivo Alaves on the weekend.

Predicted Score: Sparta Prague 1-2 Atletico Madrid

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