Malmo and Sparta Prague square off in the first leg of their Champions League playoff at the Eleda Stadion on Wednesday night.
Both teams came through entertaining encounters in the previous round to set up this two-legged shootout for a place in the new league phase of the competition.
Malmo overcame KI Klaksvik in the second round of qualifying before getting the better of Greek outfit PAOK 6-5 on aggregate, in a game that brought up a bet for our man Andy.
After extending their lead at the top of the Swedish Allsvenskan to nine points at the weekend after edging out Norrkoping 2-1, Henrik Rydstrom’s side now turn their attending back to trying to progress to the business end of the Champions League for the first time since season 2021-22.
As for Sparta Prague, they put Shamrock Rovers to the sword before getting the better of FCSB in the third round thanks to 4-3 aggregate success.
That means Lars Friis’ team are just one more tie away from making it through to the group stage of the Champions League for the first time since in the 2005-06.
How the bookies view it: Malmo to draw first blood
Malmo are 13/10 favourites on Bet 365 to take a first leg advantage to the Czech capital next midweek.
Sparta Prague are 19/10 (Bet 365) 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 Bet 365.
Veljko Birmancevic bagged a brace for Sparta Prague in Bucharest last weekend and the Serbian is 5/2 (William Hill) 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
Anything else catch the eye?
Given how entertaining the duo’s respective third round qualifiers were, siding with Over 2.5 Goals looks worth backing here at 4/5 on Bet 365.
This would have been the right wager in all four of Malmo’s qualifiers across the previous two rounds.
The same play would have also proven profitable in two of Sparta Prague’s qualifying matches up until this juncture, making a repeat on Wednesday night an appealing angle of attack at 4/5 on Bet 365
This UEFA Champions League match between Malmo and Sparta Prague will be played on Aug 21, 2024 and kick off at 20:00. Check below for our tipsters best Malmo vs Sparta Prague prediction. You may also visit our dedicated betting previews section for the most up to date previews.
