- AC Sparta Praha have won all five of their matches since the start of the season, making it five wins in a row in all competitions
- Lillestrom have been average recently, winning two, drawing one and losing two of their last five matches in all competitions
- AC Sparta Praha are sitting 3rd in the UEFA Europa League 2026/2027 table with three points from their opening game, while Lillestrom are 22nd, having picked up none from their first fixture
Sparta are the sharpest team in Czechia
Brian Priske has only been in charge of AC Sparta Praha since 1st July 2025, but his side are already playing with an incredible sharpness, matching their nickname of Železná Sparta perfectly. They're a team which has been pressing high up the pitch, with their wing-back overloads and slick vertical transitions creating a lot of opportunities for the players who are running into the box.
Železná Sparta have won their last five consecutive matches, and they'll be looking to keep that run going in this fixture. They're likely to try and close the channels and dominate the transition play early on, as the home side look to suffocate Lillestrom and win the game.
Lillestrom are likely to make a game of this fixture, however. Hans Erik Oedegaard has made them direct, wide and dangerous on the break since he took over as manager on the first day of 2025. They'll aim to expose the fullbacks and flood the box, with their 4-3-3 system designed to hurt teams on the wide areas, from corners, and on the break.
Goals at both ends seems a likeliest outcome
Lillestrom have won one and lost one of their two away fixtures across all current competitions, so they should be able to nick a goal in Czechia on Thursday. Tobias Guddal has been Sparta's Europa League breakout man, scoring two goals in one Europa League match, and he's top-scoring for the side, while Thomas Lehne Olsen leads the way for Lillestrom with a single goal in one Europa League game.
Felix Va has one assist in his one Europa League appearance for Lillestrom, and that creativity between the lines should be enough to see both teams score. We're backing over 2.5 goals, BTTS in this encounter, and a home win at a very fair price.
Sparta are 3/10, over 2.5 goals are 11/20 and BTTS are 83/100, with a home win and both teams to score looking the likeliest outcome.
