A hapless Sparta Prague are looking to end their wait for a goal as they face a rampant Bournemouth side yet to drop a point in the UEFA Europa League (UEL).
Match News and Current Form
Sparta head into this fixture after failing to score in four of their last five games across all competitions, including in both of their last two (W1, D2, L2). That run of form has seen them get dumped out of the Czech Cup, while they're eight points behind city rivals Slavia Prague in the Chance Liga, but Brian Priske’s men are in with a decent shout of UEL progression despite losing 1-0 to Olympiacos on matchday three (W1, D1, L1). Playing at home should provide a boost for Sparta, as they've lost just once in their last nine such European encounters (W6, D2).
Marco Rose has certainly found his groove as Bournemouth head coach as the Cherries make the trip to Prague in sensational form, having won their last six games without conceding and all by 2+ goal margins, the latest of which was against Leeds (2-0). That sequence of results has helped transform their Premier League fortunes, while they've also reached the EFL Cup quarter-finals and remain one of only five UEL teams with a perfect league phase start this season. Now the first English side since 1973/74 to win their first three major European main draw encounters, Bournemouth are now looking to make it four, although they are yet to taste victory in back-to-back competitive away matches this term (W2, D1, L2).
Head-to-Head History
This is Bournemouth’s first meeting with a Czech side, while Sparta have faced English opponents 23 times, earning only four wins (D4, L15).
Hot Stats and Streaks
Just one of Sparta’s last seven matches featured over 2.5 goals.
Only three sides have taken more corners than Sparta’s 22 after matchday three in the UEL this season.
Just three teams have been fouled more often than Bournemouth (45) after three UEL league phase matches.
Bournemouth have scored five unanswered first-half goals in their opening three league phase games.
Key Players to Watch and Missing Players
Sparta may have found the net in just one of their last five games, but Jonatan Braut Brunes scored four times in that 5-1 success - the fifth consecutive time that he has been on the winning side when finding the net. Bournemouth’s Evanilson has only failed to score in one of his last six appearances, and his last four scoring starts have all been in clean-sheet victories, including against Sturm Graz in the UEL.
Neither side seemingly have any fresh absentees.
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Betting Analysis
It is difficult to make a case for Sparta here given both sides’ form, so backing a Bournemouth win to nil could be sensible.
Author: Matthew Billon