Champions League: FC Copenhagen vs. Sparta Prague Preview, Odds, Predictions, Picks

FC Copenhagen hosts Sparta Prague in the UEFA Champions League playoffs. The two units see this as the most important game of the year because a win not only brings them one step away from the UCL group stage but also secures at least the Europa League groups. Both enter this clash flying high following excellent results, and that’s why we hope to see one flamboyant matchup at the Parken Stadium in the Danish capital.

Preview

FC Copenhagen (+110) has five wins in a row. All of them were in competitive events, with the Danish unit presenting exceptional offensive performances. In those five events, FC delivered at least twice in each contest. 

Overall, they netted 17 times, ten over the latest two meetings, indicating their rise in the form. Copenhagen already played in the UCL this year, facing Breidablik from Iceland. They would eliminate that rival, winning 0-2 on the road and 6-3 at Parken. Randers FC was the latest victim this weekend in the Danish Superliga, 4-0. 

The offensive approach has been Copenhagen’s trademark over recent years. They are extremely efficient at home, trying to attack and break any rival that comes to their turf. 

Sparta Prague (+230) didn’t suffer too many changes this summer, and they are probably the biggest favorites to win the domestic crown. However, participating in the UEFA Champions League would be a great boost for the team, and for the moment, that is the primary goal.

Three wins in three domestic league games have encouraged Sparta and their fans ahead of this battle. Also, they had some pretty impressive performances during the preseason period, like the one against Anderlecht, whom they beat 6-0. 

Sparta prefers to attack and dictate the tempo. The Czech powerhouse smashed FK Pardubice this Saturday, 5-2, showing fluid and deadly offense, which created plenty of chances, especially in the first half. 

Latest News

Davit Khocholava is expected to miss this one for the hosts.

Sparta comes to Copenhagen without a single injured or suspended player. 

Head to Head Games

Back in the 2009 Europa League group stage, these teams had two matchups. Copenhagen was better in both of them. The first was in Denmark, and the result was 1-0 for the hosts, with N’Doye netting the only score. The Danish unit was much better in the second event, blasting Sparta in Prague, 0-3. N’Doye delivered a brace, while Jasper Gronkjaer added the third goal. 

Prediction

These two teams are extremely offensive-minded, and they will try to score whenever possible. Copenhagen is the favorite, but we won’t pick the full-time result because these games are very tough to predict. Our pick here is going to be over 2.5 goals, which is priced at -110. Copenhagen is fired up, and they are expected to hit the rivals with full force. On the other end, the guests won’t back down but will accept this style, which should result in high efficiency. We really expect fireworks in Copenhagen, and one interesting matchup, maybe the most efficient of all in this round of the UCL playoffs. 

Pick: Over 2.5 goals -110