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Sparta Prague and Steaua Bucharest will square off in the first leg of this Champions League qualifier, non-champions route. Sparta is the seeded team and the natural favorite to advance.
Sparta Prague finished second last year in the domestic league, 7 points behind Viktoria Plzen, but they did much better in Europe. Sparta reached the quarterfinals of the Europa League, where they lost to Villarreal and maybe the long European long had a negativ impact in the Czech league. The match against Steaua will be the first official game of the year for Sparta and they did not do well in friendlies, failing to win a single one of them. On the other hand, they only played against top teams.
Steaua Bucharest lost the title to Astra Giurgiu last season despite being heavy favorites and they look to be much weaker this season. Steaua lost key players like Varela (arguably their best player), Marica, Papp or Chipciu, while the guys they brought in are nowhere near the quality of those players. They also have fitness issues ahead of this clash. Steaua played 1 official match this season, winning the League Cup against Chiajna, but it was a very poor performance against a relegation candidate. Steaua won in extra time via an invented penalty.
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Team news & lineups:
It`s unclear if Sparta’s top scorer, David Lafata, will be in the starting lineup. Aside from the players they lost in the transfer market, Steaua Bucharest will also miss key winger Hamroun. Another key winger, Popa, is slightly doubtful, as is key midfielder Pintilii – but both are expected to feature in the starting lineup.
Sparta Prague: Bicik – Holek, Brabec, Kadlec – Zahustel, Dockal, Frydek, Marecek, Costa – Julis, Fatai (Lafata)
Steaua Bucharest: Nita – Enache, Tamas, Tosca, Momcilovic – Pintilii, Achim – Popa, Stanciu, Aganovic – Golubovic
Normally I`d say that the odds on the home team are a bit low, but considering how weakened this Steaua team is compared to the last season, the price is definitely fair.
It will be very difficult for Steaua to play this match considering that almost the entire backbone of the team is gone. They must accommodate 4-5 different starters compared to last season and that will take time, especially as the transfers they made are mostly low quality.
Sparta Prague are no world beaters, but they are extremely strong at home and played some brilliant football last year in Europe. They have superior quality compared to Steaua, but more importantly they are better organized, players are used to playing together and the team chemistry is better. With the aid of home court advantage, Sparta should claim victory here.
My tip is Sparta Praga to win this match, probably by 1 or 2 goals and I will stake 7 units on the bet. I`m pretty sure Steaua will not be too upset with a 1 goal loss as long as they score a goal. Prediction: Sparta Praga – Steaua Bucharest 2-1.
Pick: Sparta Prague
Odds: 1.66 @ Ohmbet
Stake: 7
Possible profit: 4.62
Event date: 26 July
