Sparta Prague vs Monaco

Sparta Prague will play host to Monaco at the Generali Ceska pojistovna Arena in the first leg of the UEFA Champions League third-round qualifying tie.

Sparta Prague performed a second-leg comeback to dispatch Rapid Wien in the previous qualifying round (1-2 A, 2-0 H). Despite boasting vast European experience, the record-time Czech Republic champions last played in the Champions League group stage back in the 2005/06 season. They have since failed to navigate to the group phase in their subsequent seven qualifying attempts. A flying start will be of the essence, and after finding the net within the opening 20 minutes of play in three consecutive home games in all competitions, Sparta will believe they have what it takes to beat Monaco. Additionally, Pavel Vrba’s men have racked up a promising five-match competitive winning streak on home soil via an aggregate score of 17-5. Bringing the 2020/21 season into the equation, the ‘Železná Sparta’ have netted 2+ goals in eight of their last ten competitive home outings.

In the meantime, despite finishing third in Ligue 1 last season, Monaco played a prominent role in a nerve-shredding title race for a good part of the campaign. The French giants have a point to prove here, though, after failing to win any of their last 12 matches in the Champions League proper (D3, L9). Encouragingly, though, Monaco’s only previous visit to the Czech Republic yielded a comfortable 2-0 victory over Sparta’s bitter rivals Slavia Prague back in 2005/06. ‘Les Monégasques’ can draw further confidence from an imperious away form in the final stretch of the 2020/21 campaign that saw them pick up seven wins in eight road trips in all competitions (D1), five of which were accompanied by a half-time lead. Interestingly, both of Monaco’s previous away matches in the Champions League third-qualifying round have seen over 2.5 goals and both teams scoring (W1, L1).