This duo are two of the lesser-known sides in the Europa League and have been given pretty much no chance of going far in the competition, however, both will feel they can cause an upset should they get through this round.
Rostov are still in their mid-winter break and so match fitness could really be in question going into this tie. However, their motivation and adrenaline may help them get through.
Selmashi are not doing as well as they were last year in the Russian Premier League and currently sit seventh. However, this has mainly been down to the improvement of other teams rather than their own failings. Rostov are still incredibly mean in defence and have conceded just 12 times in 17 league matches this season. Their impressive Champions League group campaign also showed that they can make the transition from domestic to European football.
Ivan Daniliants’ side rely heavily on a counter-attacking style so it is no surprise that they are not one of the highest scorers in the Russian league.
The Olimp-2 stadium is a fortress for Rostov and 23 of their 25 league points have come at home. Furthermore, they managed to cause an upset by beating European giants Bayern Munich 3-2 in the Champions League group stage and were unlucky to lose 1-0 to last season’s runners-up Atlético Madrid.
Like Rostov, Sparta Prague are coming into this match off the back of a long winter break and so again, match fitness might be an issue.
Sparta are currently 3rd in the Czech league, just four points off the top of the table, and have been excellent at both ends of the pitch with 30 goals scored and just 13 conceded in 16 matches.
Unfortunately for Tomas Pozar’s side, if anything will let them down this season, it will be away form as they have so far taken just 13 points from eight matches – only the fifth best in the league.
With these two teams coming into this game lacking match fitness, I think we will likely be in for a rather drab affair.
This match has draw written all over it and is well worth backing at 5/2.
See more Europa League tips here.