Malmo vs Sparta Prague Predictions & Betting Tips

Malmo go head-to-head against Sparta Prague on Wednesday. Read our Predictions and Betting Tips with Match Preview, Head-to-head stats (h2h) and Team Form Analysis.

This match will be played on 21/08/2024 at 22:00

Our prediction for this Champions League match:

Buoyed by a 2-1 win over Norrkoping, Malmo will look to give fans yet another reason to celebrate when they take on Sparta Prague in the Champions League playoffs, first leg. The Blues did well to shock PAOK in round 3 and they are surely capable of matching Sparta Prague in front of home fans. All Niklas Moisander, Anton Tinnerholm, and Stefano Vecchia are out of contention with injuries for the home team.

The Czech champions, on the other hand, booked their place in the final qualifying round by beating Steaua Bucharest in the double-header. As Sparta are on a three-game winning run in all competitions ahead of the trip to Sweden. We predict that they are going to grab something from Wednesday’s encounter. Pacey Serbia winger Veljko Birmancevic should be recalled to the starting XI after coming as a substitute in a 2-1 win over Jablonec as well as talented defender Martin Vitik. Imanol Garcia remains in the recovery room.

How the bookies view it: Malmo to draw first blood

Malmo are 13/10 favourites on HB88 to take a first leg advantage to the Czech capital next midweek.

Sparta Prague are 19/10 (188JILI) to put themselves in pole position to qualify while a share of the Eleda Stadion spoils pays 5/2 (Ladbrokes).

Head to head: Swedes hoping for more success

The two teams last crossed paths at the third round of Champions League qualifying back in 2015-16. The tie ended 4-4 on aggregate, with Malmo progressing courtesy of the now abolished away goal rule.

Players to watch: Thelin to come up trumps?

Isaac Kiese Thelin is currently the joint top goalscorer in the Allsvenskan with 12 goals. The Swedish striker heads the anytime goalscorer market here at 2/1 on WJpeso.

Veljko Birmancevic bagged a brace for Sparta Prague in Bucharest last weekend. And the Serbian is 5/2 (188jili) to strike at the Eleda Stadion.

Predicted line-ups

Malmo boss Henrik Rydstrom looks set to be without injured quartet Sebastian Nanasi, Niklas Moisander, Anton Tinnerholm and Stefano Vecchia on Wednesday night.

Lukas Haraslin made an instant impact on his return to the Sparta Prague side last week and he is expected to keep his place in the starting XI this midweek.

Malmo: Dahlin; Larsen, Jansson, Zatterstrom, Busanello; Bolin, Pena, Johnsen, Nanasi; Botheim, Thelin

Sparta Prague: Vindahl; Vitik, Zeleny, Ross; Preciado, Kairinen, Sadilek, Rynes; Birmancevic, Kuchta, Haraslin