Sparta Prague vs Liverpool Prediction: Czechs to end Reds’ run

After six consecutive victories spread across the Premier League, FA Cup and Carabao Cup, Liverpool must now turn the attention to a fourth competition - the Europa League - as they take a trip to the Czech Republic to face Sparta Prague on Thursday (KO, 17:45).

The round of 16 first leg tie at the epet ARENA will be shown live on TNT Sports and ahead of the game, we've detailed our Sparta Prague vs Liverpool prediction, suggesting a couple of betting angles for this encounter.

Team News

Ladislav Krejci, Veljko Birmancevic and Matej Rynes were all suspended for Sparta's previous European encounter but are free to return to Europa League action this week.

Centre-back Filip Panak was substituted at half-time on Sunday and it's unknown whether he will be fit to face the Reds on Thursday.

Alisson Becker, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Joel Matip, Curtis Jones, Thiago Alcantara, Ryan Gravenberch and Diogo Jota are all ruled out of contention for Liverpool, while Mohamed Salah's availability is uncertain after four games out injured.

Dominik Szoboszlai and Darwin Nunez returned to action in Saturday's 1-0 win at Nottingham Forest, but Jurgen Klopp must decide whether to restrict them to substitute appearances again ahead of Sunday's showdown clash with Manchester City.

With that game in mind, Jarell Quansah will start in central defence, Kostas Tsimikas is likely to get the nod ahead of Andy Robertson at left-back, and youngsters James McConnell, Bobby Clark and Jayden Danns could be thrown in from the beginning.

Match Odds

Sparta haven't lost a single game at home this season but have been handed odds of 13/5 to win on Thursday, which implies they have a 27.8 per cent chance of heading to Merseyside next week with a lead. Liverpool are favourites for victory at 9/10 while the draw can be backed at 3/1.

Both teams to score is 4/7 and over 2.5 goals can be found at 8/13.

Sparta Prague or draw and both teams to score @ 13/8

Liverpool keep managing to find a way in games, but will the fixture demands on a youthful squad finally catch up with them on Thursday?

The Reds should still be confident of getting themselves on the scoresheet as only Manchester United - somehow - have denied them from scoring this season, but the hosts will be right up for this one and will know that they have to net one or two to give themselves a chance at Anfield next week.

With just two days rest between this game and Sunday, it wouldn't be a surprise to see Klopp make a few changes knowing that, should the worst happen, there is a chance to correct events in a week's time.

The importance of Sunday cannot be understated, and that should help Sparta's chances of at least avoiding defeat at a venue where many have come unstuck.

Lukas Haraslin to score anytime @ 16/5

The Slovakia international blanked in the Prague derby on Sunday but had found the net in each of his previous three games.

Haraslin's season tally stands at 14 with four of his strikes coming in the Europa League including two in the group stage - one against Rangers - and one in the 4-1 thrashing of Galatasaray in the play-offs to secure his side's place in the round of 16.

At 16/5, there's certainly value to be had in backing one of Sparta's most dangerous forwards against a potentially weakened Liverpool line-up.

Check out the rest of our Football Betting Tips here.