Celtic v Sparta Prague: Is it on TV, who to watch, form guide, Europa League preview, last match

Celtic turned the tide on some indifferent results with a huge performance against Lille last week – and were disappointed not to take the win.

Boss Neil Lennon was not involved the last time Celtic went to Czech Republic (Photo by Craig Williamson / SNS Group)

After Moi Elyounoussi blazed Neil Lennon’s side into a 2-0 lead, the French hosts hauled the game back and nicked a point in Group H, but the performance lifted Celtic spirits after defeats to Rangers and AC Milan coupled with a draw at Aberdeen.

Things have been looking up since with Diego Laxalt on top form in France and then a Hampden semi-final win over the Dons again on Sunday leading them into this double header with Czech cracks Sparta.

Match details

Mohamed Elyounoussi promotes an Adidas For the Game campaign at Lennoxtown, on November 03, 2020, in Glasgow, Scotland. (Photo by Craig Foy / SNS Group)

Who: Celtic v Sparta Prague

What: UEFA Europa League – Group H

Where: Celtic Park, Glasgow

When: 8pm, Thursday November 5

Jiri Jarosik started at Sparta before moving on to Chelsea and Celtic amongst others

How to watch

BT Sports will again show the both Scottish representatives in the group stages of the Europa League, kicking off their coverage with Steven Gerrard’s Rangers side on BT Sport 3 in action in Portugal against Benfica before attention turns to the east end of Glasgow and the 8pm kick off.

Viewers with an EE mobile phone could be able to tune in free with an offer from the company, by texting SPORT to 150.

Alternatively Celtic TV will be offering audio coverage via their subscription packages.

Who to Watch

Sparta’s homegrown striker Lukas Julic has hit six goals in six games since the summer – though he hasn’t managed any in European competition so far – and partner up front Adam Hložek is not far off with four goals to his name.

Contributing from midfield is the experienced Broeck Dočkal who has been a key figure for Sparta since returning to his home country from a spell with Philadelphia Union in the USA MLS.

Opposition Form

Prague’s most recent games both came in Group H of the Europa League and ended in defeats to Lille and Milan – Dočkal netting the only goal for the Czech side in the 4-1 defeat to Lille on matchday one.

They’re top of the domestic league with maximum points from the first six games, and two clear of city rivals Slavia in second and Viktoria Plzen in third on 13.

Previous Meetings

There’s been no meetings between the sides in the past – but the good news is, the last time Celtic faced a club from Prague they went on to win the trophy.

That, of course, was Dukla Prague in the semi-final of the 1967 European Cup and Celtic won 3-1 at Parkhead and a scoreless away leg ensured progression to Lisbon to face Inter Milan.

Neil Lennon was in the squad but didn’t play on their last trip to the Czech Republic – losing 1-0 to Teplice in the UEFA Cup but winning 3-0 at home to progress, eventually being knocked out by Villarreal in the quarter finals.

Jiri Jarosik has played for both sides.

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