Liverpool vs Sparta Prague Prediction: Shots shape 3/1 #PickYourPunt at Anfield

Liverpool can head into the second leg of their Europa League round of 16 tie with Sparta Prague on Thursday (KO, 20:00) with supreme confidence after taking a 5-1 lead in the Czech Republic last week.

We have detailed our Liverpool vs Sparta Prague prediction below and provided team news and match odds for this encounter at Anfield, which is live on TNT Sports.

Team News

Alexis Mac Allister, Darwin Nunez (x2)and Luis Diaz all struck in the first hour in Prague, but it would be a surprise if any started at Anfield given the advantage Liverpool have, and their FA Cup quarter-final tie against Manchester United at Old Trafford on Sunday.

Caoimhin Kelleher should start in goal again with Jarell Quansah in front of him, while Kostas Tsimikas looks a shoo-in at full-back. Andy Robertson began last Sunday's 1-1 draw with Manchester City on the bench, but will Jurgen Klopp select two left-backs on Thursday?

Virgil van Dijk could be handed a rest but there are few options to replace him with Ibrahima Konate still likely to be out. Perhaps Robertson will fill in at centre-back with Conor Bradley and Joe Gomez given 45 minutes each at right-back.

Dominik Szoboszlai could be handed another start to continue his return to full fitness, with James McConnell and Bobby Clark likely to join him in midfield. Cody Gakpo is a certainty to start up top, with Lewis Koumas and Kaide Gordon potentially joining the Dutchman in attack. Mohamed Salah made his comeback from injury as a substitute against Sparta and could come under consideration for a start here.

Sparta Prague made seven changes to their starting line-up for Sunday's 4-0 defeat to Viktoria Plzen, one of them enforced due to the injury picked up by Asger Sorensen against Liverpool last Thursday.

The Danish defender won't be back for their trip to England but the likes of Jan Kuchta, Angelo Preciado and Markus Solbakken should all return to the first XI.

Match Odds

Liverpool are 3/10 to maintain their 100% winning record at Anfield in the Europa League this season, with a victory for the visitors priced at 7/1. The draw can be taken at 5/1, both teams to score is 4/6 and over 3.5 goals is available at 10/11.

Liverpool or draw and both teams to score @ 5/6

Both teams found the net in last week's game, and in truth, the Czech side should have had more than one goal to their name. As it was, a combination of bad finishing and superb saves from Kelleher kept Sparta from netting multiple times, but they shouldn't be discouraged ahead of the second leg, with Liverpool likely to make several changes to their starting XI.

The Reds have conceded in nine of their last 10 matches at Anfield, shipping two to both Norwich City and Newcastle United in that run. It goes without saying that Klopp's team are expected to score, even with a changed line-up, and given recent wins against the likes of Chelsea and Southampton with youthful players, it's difficult to back against them on Thursday.

The double chance provides some insurance though, as they don't need to win and should be able to make even more alterations later on which could disrupt their flow.

#PickYourPunt - Gakpo 2+ shots, Sparta Prague over 9.5 shots & over 3.5 shots on target @ 3/1

Gakpo only came on in the 76th minute on Sunday so should be fresh to face Sparta from the off again. The Dutchman is now five games without a goal though and will be looking to play himself into form ahead of Sunday and the upcoming internationals.

Leading the attack, he will be expected to fire off at least two shots, which he has managed to do in his last five starts. In Prague last week, he had four shots, three of which came in the first half.

Sparta had 11 shots as a team in the first leg, seven of which hit the target. In search of the impossible, expect them to shoot from all angles against a weakened Reds XI, with at least four of them testing Kelleher.

The Premier League giants have allowed at least 10 shots in their last three games at Anfield, with Man City, Southampton and Luton Town all registering at least three shots on target.

Check out the rest of our Football Betting Tips here.