Sparta Prague and Red Bull Salzburg will both be looking for a win on Wednesday.
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Sparta Prague vs Red Bull Salzburg odds
Find the latest match odds for Sparta Prague vs Red Bull Salzburg. All odds are provided by our best-reviewed online football bookies. Odds are subject to change.
⚡Quick Sparta Prague vs Red Bull Salzburg betting tips
Sparta Prague vs Red Bull Salzburg predictions
The 2024/25 Champions League got under way a few days before the final of Euro 2024, as 28 teams entered in the first qualifying round.
Sparta Prague’s campaign did not begin quite that early, but they were involved in the second qualifying round which got started towards the end of July.
Sparta beat Shamrock Rovers 6-2 over two legs to reach the third qualifying round, where they dispatched FCSB 4-3 on aggregate. The Czech outfit then advanced to the competition proper by beating Malmo 2-0 at home and 2-0 away in the play-offs.
Sparta, who have won two Czech league titles in a row, are back in the Champions League for the first time since 2005/06, when they went out in the group stage without winning a game.
Over the last 30 years or so, the power in European football has drifted into the hands of a few elite clubs from the west of the continent.
The game’s resources were spread more equitably in previous decades, when clubs from eastern and central Europe frequently mixed it with the best.
For instance, Sparta Prague were quarter-finalists in the European Cup twice in the 1960s, while they reached the last four of the Cup Winners’ Cup in 1972/73.
Sparta had the third-best record in the European Cup of 1991/92, and they reached the second group stage of the Champions League twice in the early years of the 21st century. Since then, however, it has been a case of regular eliminations in the qualifiers at best.
Sparta fans have therefore spent the last few weeks counting down the days until this fixture. Excitement is in the air around Stadion Letna as Red Bull Salzburg make the trip from Austria on Wednesday.
With games against Manchester City, Atletico Madrid, Inter and Bayer Leverkusen on the horizon, many expect Sparta to be whipping boys in the new-look tournament. Lars Friis’ side are out to prove people wrong from matchday one onwards.
Sparta Prague vs Red Bull Salzburg betting tips
Sparta Prague host Red Bull Salzburg as the Champions League returns this week.
Red Bull Salzburg to win – 9/5 (Betfred)
Since 2019/20 Red Bull Salzburg have competed in the Champions League every season, although they have only made it through to the round of 16 once in that time.
The knockout stage play-offs are the target this time around, for which Salzburg would need to finish between ninth and 24th in the table after eight rounds of fixtures.
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Their superior experience of this competition in recent years could make all the difference on Wednesday night. Unlike their Sparta Prague counterparts, Salzburg’s players know what it takes to play in the Champions League proper.
Salzburg have also made a strong start to the domestic season. Although they are not top of the Austrian Bundesliga right now, they will rise to first place provided they win their game in hand.
This looks set to be a close match, with perhaps only one goal in it, but Salzburg are more likely to edge it.
⚽ Choose a Red Bull Salzburg win at 9/5 with Betfred ⚽
Over 2.5 goals – 8/13 (Betfred)
Like Sparta Prague, Red Bull Salzburg’s journey began in the qualifying rounds. They beat Twente 5-4 on aggregate to reach the play-offs, where they overcame Dynamo Kyiv 3-1.
Salzburg’s nine games in all competitions so far have yielded 36 goals in total – an average of four per game.
The same calculation shows that Sparta’s matches have featured an average of 3.15 goals, so there is every reason to expect more than 2.5 strikes in this one.
This is a winnable game for both teams, with tougher tests to come. That will compel Sparta and Salzburg to play on the front foot in Prague.
That is good news for the neutrals, who should be treated to a lively encounter in one of Wednesday’s early kick-offs.
⚽ Pick over 2.5 goals at 8/13 with Betfred ⚽
Dorgeles Nene to score any time – 12/5 (Betfred)
Red Bull Salzburg are accustomed to losing key players every summer, often to sister outfit RB Leipzig.
There were only a handful of exits this time around, however, while Salzburg spent more than €40m on Bobby Clark and Takumu Kawamura.
One man who stayed put is Dorgeles Nene, who has made an excellent start to the 2024/25 season.
The attacking midfielder scored five goals in all competitions last term; he is already on four for the current campaign.
With Nene full of confidence right now, he is an astute pick to find the back of the net when Salzburg face Sparta Prague on Wednesday.
⚽ Back Dorgeles Dorgeles to score any time at 12/5 with Betfred ⚽
📺 How to watch Sparta Prague vs Red Bull Salzburg
- Location: Stadion Letna, Prague, Czechia.
- Date and time: Wednesday 18th September, 5.45pm.
- How to watch: TNT Sports 6.
Read more about the 2024/25 football season
About the author
Greg Lea
Greg Lea is a freelance football writer from London. He predominantly covers the Premier League and has had work published by the Guardian, FourFourTwo, ESPN and others.
Follow Greg on X: @GregLeaFootball
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