Sparta Prague vs Malmo

Sparta Prague are one step away from securing a place in the Champions League proper as they entertain Malmo at epet ARENA in the return leg of their qualification playoff tie.

Perhaps distracted by the tasteful opportunity of featuring in the Champions League main draw for the first time in nearly two decades, Sparta Prague relinquished a perfect start to the new league season, drawing 2-2 against Slovacko at home over the weekend (W5). After leaving Shamrock Rovers and FCSB in their wake in the opening two Champions League qualifying rounds, the reigning Czech First League holders have set one foot in the league phase with a 2-0 first-leg win against Malmo in Sweden. Manager Lars Friis knows better than to let this result tuck him into a false sense of security, knowing eight of Sparta’s 11 competitive games this season have seen both teams scoring (W9, D2), including both home fixtures in Europe (W1, D1).

As for Malmo, the math is simple. Either they win by a two-goal margin to take this tie to extra time or say farewell to their hopes of reaching the Champions League proper for the first time since 2015/16. No strangers to pulling off upsets, Malmo netted a stoppage-time equalizer and an extra-time winner to overcome PAOK in the third qualifying round, displaying their ‘never give up’ mentality. Losing star winger Sebastian Nanasi in an €11m transfer to Strasbourg in the lead-up to this trip might have clipped Malmo’s wings, as evidenced by a 2-2 home draw against relegation-battling Kalmar at the weekend. It was the latest example of the visitors’ downfall in recent months, marking their sixth winless outing from their last eight (W2, D3, L3 – 90 minutes only).