Celtic v Sparta Prague: Europa League predictions, betting preview, free tip, TV

Free football tips, best bets and analysis for Celtic v Sparta Prague in the Europa League on Thursday.

Where to watch

BT Sport 3, 8pm Thursday

Best bet

Celtic to win to nil
1pt 13-8 Betfred

Team news

Celtic
Kristoffer Ajer (groin), Christopher Jullien (unspecified injury), Mikey Johnston (knee) and James Forrest (ankle) are ruled out.

Sparta Prague
Dominik Plechaty (muscle strain) returned against Milan last Thursday but the Czechs touched down in Glasgow without Milan Heca, Dominik Holec, Adam Hlozek, Libor Kozak, Filip Soucek, Matej Hanousek and Martin Minchev.

Match preview

Celtic have work to do after taking one point from their two Europa League matches but can start the recovery process by defeating Group H basement boys Sparta Prague in Glasgow.

Neil Lennon's side threw away a two-goal half-time advantage when drawing 2-2 in Lille last week and will be targeting maximum points from the matchday three and four contests against Sparta to get back on track.

Sparta were brushed aside in their opening two fixtures – they lost 4-1 at home to Lille and 3-0 away to Milan – and their struggles are understandable, given the suspension of Czech domestic football which began in early October and will continue until at least the other side of this month's international break.

They lead the Czech top flight with six wins from six but have not reached their potential on Europa League nights and may struggle to challenge Celtic, who look value to register a victory and a clean sheet.

Key stat

Celtic have won five of their last seven home games in the Europa League group stage.

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