Matchday 5 of the 2024/25 Champions League group stage between Sparta Prague (Czech Republic) and Atletico Madrid (Spain) will take place on November 26 at the Epet Arena. Sparta Prague vs. Atletico Madrid: prediction and betting odds, statistics.
Referee: Danny Makkelie (Netherlands)
Matches – 12 (International matches, 2023/24–2024/25);
Yellow cards shown (including second yellows) – 46;
Average yellow cards per match – 3.8;
Red cards shown – 1;
Average fouls per match – 21;
Penalties – 17%.
Predicted lineups for Sparta Prague vs. Atletico Madrid
Sparta Prague (3-4-3): Peter Vindahl-Jensen – Martin Vitik, Filip Panak, Elias Kobbo – Tomas Wiesner, Kaan Kairinen, Kazim Laci, Matej Ryneš – Albion Rrahmani, Victor Olatunji, Victor Olatunji.
Atletico Madrid (3-5-2): Jan Oblak – Axel Witsel, Clément Lenglet, Reinildo Mandava – Javi Galan, Nahuel Molina, Conor Gallagher, Koke, Pablo Barrios – Julian Alvarez, Antoine Griezmann.
Sparta Prague
The Czechs have secured only one victory after four rounds, defeating Salzburg (3-0) at the tournament's start. Subsequently, they drew with Stuttgart (1-1) and lost to Manchester City (0-5) and Brest (1-2). The club is in 26th place with 4 points. Before these two defeats, Sparta had a 10-match unbeaten streak in regular time in the Champions League (6 wins and 4 draws).
Due to injuries, defenders Imanol Garcia and Jaroslav Zeleny, along with midfielders Angelo Preciado and Veljko Birmancevic, will miss the game.
- At least two goals have been scored in the last 11 matches involving the Czechs in this tournament.
- Sparta has scored in regular time in 10 of their last 11 Champions League games.
- The team has not lost in the second half in six consecutive home matches in the Champions League (4 wins and 2 draws).
Atletico Madrid
The Spaniards are just three positions above the Czechs. Atletico has collected six points in the current campaign, defeating Leipzig at home (2-1) and PSG away in the last round (2-1). They also suffered defeats against Benfica (0-4) and Lille (1-3). Notably, the team has gone 11 consecutive Champions League matches without a draw in regular time (7 wins and 4 losses).
Defender Nahuel Molina will miss the match due to injury.
- At least three goals have been scored in the last seven Atletico matches in the Champions League.
- Both teams have scored in regular time in 6 of the club's last 7 games in this tournament.
- The number "1" has appeared in the final score in 6 of Atletico's last 8 Champions League matches.
Sparta Prague vs. Atletico Madrid: Match Prediction
Despite having decent results in the Champions League in recent matches, the Czechs have secured victories over weaker opponents in the qualifying rounds of this tournament. When Sparta faces representatives from top European leagues, problems arise, as seen in their last home game against Brest. The Spaniards will aim to secure three points in this encounter, as the challenging part of their schedule is over, and they have two matches against Eastern European clubs ahead. By winning these games, Atletico can re-enter the race for a spot in the top eight of the group stage.
I believe the visitors will win in the Czech Republic. Atletico rarely plays against opponents of Sparta's level in the Champions League, so they should handle the Prague side even on their home turf. In their previous away match, the Spaniards defeated PSG, a club consistently considered a contender for the Champions League title in recent years.
My prediction – Atletico Madrid to Win
