Our prediction for this Champions League match:
Bayer Leverkusen
Match Time & Date:
29/01/2025
21:00
Prediction: 4-1
Sparta Prague
Bayer Leverkusen and Sparta Prague square off against each other at BayArena in a David-vs-Goliath Champions League clash. Xabi Alonso’s men aim to seal their spot in top eight and they are likely to go all guns blazing at the Czech outfit. Ecuador defender Piero Hincapie serves a one-game ban following his sending-off in a 2-1 loss to Atletico Madrid, while all Amine Adli, Jeanul Belocian, and Martin Terrier remain in the recovery room.
Sparta Prague, on the other hand, do not seem to be competitive at this level, with the team collecting only four points in total in the process. Given their five-game losing run in the Champions League, anything but a routine home win would be a big surprise. The likes of Garcia, Preciado, and Tuci miss out with injuries, while forward Albion Rrahmani is rated doubtful for the visiting side.
Highlighted Player (Alex Grimaldo):
Alex Grimaldo is a Spanish footballer who plays for Portuguese side Benfica as a left back. Born in Valencia on September 20, 1995, Grimaldo started his youth career at his hometown club FC Valencia, but in 2008 Barcelona scouts brought him to Camp Nou.
The 171-cm-tall footballer scored six goals in 92 appearances for Barca B before joining Primeira Liga club Benfica in the winter of 2015. Alex Grimaldo made his debut with the Eagles on January 26, 2016 in a 6-1 win at Moreirense in the Taca da Liga. Speaking of his Primeira Liga debut, Grimaldo played his first league game for Benfica on February 29, 2016 in a 2-0 win over Uniao Leiria.
The Benfica defender has two caps for Spain U21 team, but he has yet to make his debut with the senior team. His main position is left-back, but he is capable of producing fine performances as a left winger as well.
Highlighted Team (Sparta Prague):
Established in 1893, Sparta Prague is one of Europe’s oldest clubs and the most successful side in Czech Republic, having won no fewer than 36 league titles and 27 Czech Cup trophies. The club play their games at the Generali Arena in Prague and hold a long-lasting rivalry with Slavia Prague.
Sparta Prague enjoyed their Golden Years in the 1960’s, when average attendance was nearly 40,000 and players like Jiri Tichy, Andrej Kvasnak and Vaclav Masek entertained the crowds week in week out. Rudi largely impressed in the maiden Champions League campaign during the 1991/92 season as they finished second in the semi-final group, meaning they were among top 4 European sides at the moment.
Nevertheless, Sparta Prague have enjoyed little to no success on the European stage since, reaching the Champions League knockout stages on just one occasion, with their latest major coup the return of prodigal son Tomas Rosicky from Arsenal.
Ajax 
Galatasaray 
Anderlecht 
Hoffenheim
AS Roma
Frankfurt 
FCSB 
Manchester United 
Rangers 
St Gilloise 
Real Sociedad
PAOK
