Celtic v Sparta Prague: Is it on TV, who to watch, form guide, Europa League preview, last match
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
Who: Celtic v Sparta Prague
What: UEFA Europa League – Group H
Where: Celtic Park, Glasgow
When: 8pm, Thursday November 5
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Hide AdHow 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.
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Hide AdThat, 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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