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Steaua Bucharest will host Sparta Prague in the Champions League qualifiers, with the Romanians seemingly having the first chance to qualify after claiming a solid 1-1 draw in the first leg.
Steaua missed on the title in Romania last season and sold a number of key players this summer, virtually losing the backbone of the team. The hosts definitely look weaker than in the past years, but even so they snatched an excellent 1-1 draw in Prague. Not only did Steaua claim a good result, but they played pretty well, even if all in all they were a tad bit lucky to escape without a loss. The home side is on the back of a 3-1 win in Romania against Viitorul, but played rather poorly in that match.
Sparta probably deserved a narrow 1 goal win in the first leg, but they weren`t dominant by any means and will have their worked cut out for them in the reverse leg. A team that reached the Europa League quarterfinals last season should have done better at home. Sparta defeated Slovaka 3-2 over the weekend in Prague. Like Steaua did against Viitorul, Sparta rested a couple of key players, but didn`t make major changes.
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Team news & lineups:
Steaua should be at full strength for this game, while Sparta could make one or two changes to the lineup that started in the first leg.
Steaua Bucharest: Nita – Enache, Tamas, Tosca, Momcilovic – Pintilii, Achim – Popa, Stanciu, Hamroun – Golubovic
Sparta Prague: Bicik – Holek, Brabec, Kadlec – Zahustel, Dockal, Frydek, Marecek, Costa – Lafata, Julis
I think playing away from home after the 1-1 first leg result actually suits Sparta’s style better than it did last week, when they were trying to protect a 1-0 advantage and keep a clean sheet. Sparta’s offensive qualities could shine brighter in this match, when the pressure to avoid conceding a goal is lower.
Steaua really doesn`t look very solid this season so if Sparta Praga manages to play a good game, they should qualify here. The visitors are the better team, they just need to play to their potential – if they do that and do not get unlucky, I believe Sparta will qualify here. The bookies opened with pretty much similar odds for the two teams to qualify, despite Steaua getting a good result in the first leg. They knew very well why they were not giving Steaua the first chance, but the punters slightly moved up the price on Sparta.
My tip is Sparta Prague to qualify. I truly think this is a better bet than the one I took last week, which was Sparta to win at pretty low odds. Value is on the visitors here. Prediction: Steaua Bucharest – Sparta Prague 2-2.
Pick: Sparta Prague to qualify
Odds: 2.02 @ Unibet
Stake: 7
Possible profit: 7.14
Event date: 3 August
