Red Star look capable of holding Sparta in Europa League clash

Europa League
Third qualifying round first leg
7.30pm Thursday

Sparta Prague excelled themselves in the Europa League last season but the Czech club struggle away from the Generali Arena and look set for a tough evening against Red Star Belgrade.

Sparta qualified for the knockout stages from a group featuring Inter, Southampton and Hapoel Beer Sheva although they lost on the road against both the Saints and the Milan giants.

They faced Rostov in the last 32 but away form proved critical once again as the Russians put four past them in the first leg, virtually ending the tie there and then.

Red Star do not have Sparta's recent European pedigree and have failed to qualify for the group stages of any major continental competition since the 2007-08 Uefa Cup.

The Serbian club came closest to qualifying in 2012, beaten 3-2 on aggregate by Bordeaux, and last season, when they lost 4-1 against Sassuolo. On each occasion they were good enough to earn draws at home.

They've started with three straight victories at the Rajko Mitic Stadium this season, winning twice to get to this stage in Europa League qualifying, and started their attempt to regain the SuperLiga crown from rivals Partizan with a 3-0 win on Sunday.

Sparta represent a tougher task but the Belgrade boys should be strong enough to avoid defeat, keeping the tie alive for next week's trip to the Czech capital.

Recommendation
Draw
1pt 11-5 Betfred, Betway, Hills