Champions League | League Stage

Nov 26, 2024 at 5.45pm UK

Epet Arena

Sparta Praguevs.Atletico

Match preview

Sparta had a promising start to their 2024-25 Champions League campaign, beating Red Bull Salzburg 3-0 before drawing 1-1 with Stuttgart. They've picked up four points from their opening two matches, but they've also been beaten twice since then, going down 5-0 at Manchester City and suffering a 2-1 reversal at home to Brest.

With four points from four matches, Lars Friis's side is currently in 26th place in the Champions League table, just one point behind PSV Eindhoven in 24th. This would be enough for a playoff spot.

Sparta are on a four-game losing streak in all competitions, drawing their last two in the league against Mlada Boleslav and Teplice. This has left them fourth in the Czech First League, 11 points behind leaders Slavia Prague.

The Reds have won five and lost six of their previous 11 home matches against Spanish teams in the Champions League. However, they've been victorious in three of their last four at home to La Liga teams and have won seven of their last 13 home European games, losing just twice in the process.

Sparta have three more league matches in the Champions League after this one. They're playing Feyenoord in their last European game of 2024 before taking on Inter Milan and Bayer Leverkusen in January.

Meanwhile, Atlético are in a good position ahead of this match, having won their last five games across all competitions, including a 2-1 victory over Alavés in La Liga on Saturday.

Diego Simeone's team are now second in La Liga, five points behind the leaders Barcelona. They also had a big win in the Champions League last time out, beating Paris Saint-Germain in the French capital.

The Red and Whites have lost to both Benfica and Lille in the competition this season. They are currently in 23rd place in the Champions League table, having picked up just six points from four matches, with only five goals to show for their efforts.

Atlético haven't faced Czech opposition since the group stage of the 2012-13 Europa League. They beat Viktoria Plzeň at home but lost the reverse match on their travels.

The capital giants made it to the Champions League final in both 2014 and 2016. They've been in the knockout rounds of the competition in nine of their last 11 campaigns. It would be a big surprise if the Red and Whites couldn't make it through to the next round.

Recent Performance

Sparta Prague Champions League form:WWWDLL

Sparta Prague form (all competitions):LWLLDD

Atletico Madrid Champions League form:WLLW

Atletico Madrid form (all competitions):LWWWWW

Team News

Sparta will be without Veljko Birmancevic (thigh) and Angelo Preciado (knee) through injury on Tuesday, but the Czech outfit have no new concerns.

Victor Olatunji has been on great form for the Czech outfit this season, scoring eight times, and the 25-year-old will lead the home side's line again here.

Albion Rrahmani is another key player for Sparta, with four goals and one assist in 14 appearances. There should also be a spot for the number 10 in the final third of the field.

Meanwhile, Atlético will be without Thomas Lemar due to a muscular problem, and Robin Le Normand is unlikely to play despite recently returning to training after suffering a horrific head injury.

Nahuel Molina had to pull out of the Argentina squad during the November international break because of an injury, so he missed the game against Alaves on Saturday. It's not clear yet whether he'll be fit to play.

The good news is that Marcos Llorente and Cesar Azpilicueta are now back to fitness. Simeone will make changes from the side that started on Saturday, with Julian Alvarez, Rodrigo De Paul, Jose Gimenez and Conor Gallagher all in line for starts.

Possible starting lineup

Sparta Prague possible starting lineup:

Vindahl; Vitik, Panak, Cobbaut; Wiesner, Laci, Kairinen, Rynes; Pesek, Olatunji, Rrahmani

Atletico Madrid possible starting lineup:

Oblak; Azpilicueta, Gimenez, Lenglet, Galan; Llorente, De Paul, Barrios, Gallagher; Griezmann, Alvarez