Sparta Prague vs Real Betis Prediction: Spaniards look to have the upper hand

Real Betis have recovered well after an opening defeat at Rangers in the Europa League and they will be looking to maintain their stranglehold on Group C in the Czech Republic against Sparta Praha (Sparta Prague).

It has been the opposite story for their hosts who have added just one point to their total in their three games since beating Aris Limassol and they still have plenty of work to do to qualify for the knockout stages with just two group games to go.

Team news
It would be a surprise if Sparta made many changes as no injury issues have arisen from their 2-0 win over Zlin on Sunday.

However, skipper Ladislav Krejci, who missed that victory, is likely to be pushing for a recall.

Betis are again set to be without Youssouf Sabaly and Marc Bartra, while Manuel Pellegrini is set to utilise Fran Vieites in goal with veteran Claudio Bravo and Rui Silva both unavailable.

Real Betis to win @ 7/4 

Real Betis have grown into the competition since their opening defeat to Rangers and will have no fears of a trip to the Czech Republic, where they will look to extend their 13-match unbeaten run.

They came  from behind to claim a 2-1 win over Sparta in the reverse fixture and there will be an added motivation for them, knowing that a win would confirm their qualification for the knockout stages at their opponents’ expense.

Sparta have won eight of their last nine home matches - the exception was their goalless draw with Rangers - but continental opposition usually provide tougher tests and, with the wind in their sails, it looks likely that the Spaniards will have the edge.

#PickYourPunt - Both teams to score, Ayoze Perez to score at any time & over 5.5 Sparta Praha corners @ 5/1

While Real Betis represent a stronger test than Sparta tend to face domestically, we can still expect the hosts to go on the front foot as they have scored at least twice in 11 of their last 12 games on their own patch.

So both teams to score seems a good starting point for a #PickYourPunt selection, and it is worth adding Betis’s Ayoze Perez to the mix as an anytime goalscorer.

The former Newcastle and Leicester attacker has netted in three of his last four away matches and has had 34 shots in La Liga this season so he is not afraid to have a pop at goal.

Betis have conceded the fourth highest number of La Liga corners on the road with an average of 6.57 per away match, so as only four teams in the Czech League eclipse Sparta’s tally of 5.25 per game, it is worth taking a chance that the home side can muster at least six corners.

'Match Odds'

Sparta Praha are slight favourites for the match having been priced at 6/4 to claim their second win of the group stage. Real Betis are 7/4 to come out on top while the draw is available at 12/5.

Goals are expected in the Czech capital with over 2.5 chalked up at 4/6 while punters can get 8/15 about both teams scoring.

Betis forward Borja Iglesias is 6/1 favourite alongside his teammate Willian Jose to score the game’s first goal.

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