Our prediction for this Champions League match:
Man City
Match Time & Date:
23/10/2024
21:00
Prediction: 4-1
Sparta Prague
Etihad Stadium will host Wednesday’s David-vs-Goliath clash between Manchester City and Sparta Prague. The Citizens survived Wolverhampton at the weekend and, no doubt, the triumph gave them a confidence boost. Key midfielder Kevin De Bruyne and Rodri remain in the recovery room alongside Oscar Bobb and Kyle Walker, while Nathan Ake is a major doubt. Both Phil Foden and Jack Grealish should be recalled to the starting XI.
Sparta Prague, on the other hand, did well to hold Stuttgart to a 1-1 draw at Mercedes-Benz Arena, but they will have a much bigger fish to fry in the blue part of Manchester. As previously mentioned, David faces Goliath at Etihad Stadium and anything but a routine home win would be a big surprise. It has to be noted that the two sides meet for the first time in the elite competition. The likes of Garcia, Vitik, and Karinen are out of contention for the away team.
Highlighted Player (Mateo Kovacic):
Born to Croatian parents in Linz, Austria, Mateo Kovacic spent seven years in the LASK Linz youth academy before joining Dinamo Zagreb, where he showed a great deal of potential shortly after being promoted to the senior squad.
The good return of 7 goals in 43 league appearances saw him secure a high-profile move to Inter Milan, where he acted as both holding midfielder and attacking midfielder, during the three years at Stadio Giuseppe Meazza. And despite not exactly impressing in Italy, Kovacic was purchased by mighty Real Madrid, where he has been ever since. The youngster is widely regarded as one of Croatia’s most talented footballers at the moment and he has represented the country on international stage since the age of 19.
In just three years he managed to make over 25 appearances for the national team, playing at the 2014 World Cup and Euro 2016 finals for Vatreni. Kovavic has yet to be given a real chance to impress at Real Madrid, but he has entire future ahead of him.
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.
Inter 
Como
Everton
Bournemouth
Crystal Palace 
Chelsea 
Fulham
Newcastle 
Aston Villa 
Nottingham Forest 
Tottenham
