Aris Limassol vs Sparta Prague Prediction: Cypriots to Czech out of Europe at hands of visitors

It’s do-or-die for both Aris Limassol and Sparta Prague in the Europa League on Thursday evening (KO, 20:00), with both sides needing a win to achieve their European objectives.

Aris must defeat Sparta by at least two goals if they are to usurp the Czech side and finish third in Group C, a position which would see them qualify for the playoff round of the Europa Conference League.

Sparta will drop down Europe’s third-tier competition even if they lose by a single goal, but head coach Brian Priske will be desperate for his side to win and secure passage into the knockout stage of the Europa League.

Team News

Eric Boakye has been out injured since October 26 and the Ghanaian defender will miss out again on Thursday, but Shavy Babickal, Aris’ top scorer in the competition with three goals, could return after two games out.

The visitors are hoping for good news on Lukas Haraslin, who picked up a knock in Saturday’s 3-0 win over Jablonec. The 27-year-old has been integral for Sparta this season, scoring 11 goals, including two in the Europa League group stage.

Asger Sorensen is another doubt for Thursday after missing Sparta’s previous three matches.

Match Odds

Aris are 16/5 to win and go level on points with Sparta, who are 8/11 to get the victory they need to secure a top-two finish. The draw is priced at 3/1.

Both teams to score is 4/7 and BTTS – NO is 5/4.

Sparta Prague to win and both teams to score @ 21/10

This bet landed in the reverse fixture as Sparta ran out 3-2 winners in Prague, and it should prove to be another close encounter in Cyprus.

Aris and Sparta have both scored in four of their five group games so far, and the home side in particular need to go for it on Thursday as they require a minimum of two goals to stand any chance of coming third.

With Aris likely to leave themselves open, Sparta’s superior squad should take advantage in their pursuit of a top-two finish.

Lukas Haraslin to score anytime @ 21/10

If Haraslin pulls through to start on Thursday, then his price of 21/10 to score anytime looks generous. The four teammates with lower odds than him – Veljko Birmancevic, Jan Kuchta, Victor Olatunji and Vaclav Sejk – have a combined two goals between them in European competitions (including qualifiers) this term, one fewer than Haraslin has managed by himself.

The Slovakia international has found the net in his last two group games, against Rangers and Real Betis, while he also scored against Jablonec on the weekend.

He looks as likely as anyone in the Sparta side to find a way past the Cypriots.

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