Liverpool vs Sparta Prague and Betting Tips: Best bets from Anfield for Europa League clash
Liverpool have one foot in the quarter-finals already after dismissing the challenge of Czech champions Sparta Prague in last week's first leg. Find our preview and best bets below.
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The Reds' 5-1 victory at Stadion Letna served as a warning to the rest of their Europa League rivals and now enables Jurgen Klopp to rest key players ahead of bigger domestic battles to come.
Sparta's optimism going into the first game has been replaced by a real fear that they could be in for a hiding at Anfield — the scene of so many memorable European nights.
But this one could be notable for the number of young faces likely to feature in the home side as Klopp plots the club's path to more silverware during his final months in charge.
Team news
Klopp can rest several of his key players as he looks ahead to Sunday's FA Cup quarter-final against Manchester United, with Luis Diaz, Alexis Mac Allister and Mohamed Salah among those unlikely to start.
Harvey Elliott, Conor Bradley and Jarell Quansah could keep their places while Jayden Danns, who missed the first leg due to a suspected concussion, may be drafted in alongside fellow youngsters Lewis Koumas and Bobby Clark.
Sparta could make a raft of changes to the side who lost in the first leg with Asger Sorensen likely to be missing from the back three after pulling up with a hamstring issue last week.
Wing-back Angel Preciado should return after serving a domestic ban during their 4-0 loss at Viktoria Plzen on Sunday while defender Ladislav Krejci is available, despite being sent off at the weekend.
Liverpool vs Sparta Prague Tips
Liverpool have won all of their home games in this competition with a bit to spare and that pattern should continue on Thursday even if stars like Salah, Diaz and perhaps Darwin Nunez are given the night off.
The back-up forwards have rarely let Klopp down when selected with Cody Gakpo having hit six goals in 14 cup appearances while teenager Jayden Danns bagged a brace off the bench in last month's 3-0 victory over Southampton.
Neither Nunez (six cup goals) or Diaz (five) has been ruled out of playing some part, so Liverpool should have plenty of firepower on tap.
Sparta, meanwhile, have not kept a clean sheet in any of their five Europa League away games this season, conceding three in Zagreb, two to Real Betis and Rangers, one at Aris Limassol and three again at Galatasaray.
Coach Brian Priske saw his team's backline shredded by a workmanlike Viktoria Plzen side, who could have scored more than four times, on Sunday and may elect to set his team up in a defensive manner.
That could just play into Liverpool's hands, however, with Klopp's team well-versed in remaining patient and capable of causing problems from set pieces.
There were only eight corners in the first leg, but this encounter should feature a few more as Liverpool are expected to spend long periods camped near Sparta's goal.
The visitors will look to spring counter-attacks from deep and that could also lead to a few corners at the other end.
There have been 40 corners in total across Liverpool's three home European games this season, which is an average of 13.3 — slightly up on the Reds' Premier League average of 11.3.
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