The Matchday 7 fixture of the 2024/25 Champions League group stage between Sparta Prague (Czech Republic) and Inter Milan (Italy) will be held on January 22 at the Epet Arena. Sparta Prague vs. Inter Milan: prediction, betting odds, and statistics.
Referee: Alejandro Hernandez (Spain)
Matches – 11 (International matches, 2023/24–2024/25);
Yellow cards shown (including second yellows) – 43;
Average yellow cards per match – 3.9;
Red cards shown – 3;
Average fouls per match – 21;
Penalties – 27%.
Predicted lineups for Sparta Prague vs. Inter Milan
Sparta Prague (3-4-3): Peter Vindahl-Jensen – Martin Vitik, Asger Sorensen, Filip Panak – Tomas Wiesner, Kaan Kairinen, Lukas Sadilek, Matej Rynes – Veljko Birmancevic, Kazim Laci, Victor Olatunji.
Inter Milan (3-5-2): Yann Sommer – Matteo Darmian, Stefan de Vrij, Alessandro Bastoni – Denzel Dumfries, Nicolo Barella, Piotr Zielinski, Henrikh Mkhitaryan, Federico Dimarco – Lautaro Martinez, Marcus Thuram.
Sparta Prague
Lars Friis's team suffered a 2-4 defeat away to Feyenoord in the last round. This loss marked Sparta's fourth consecutive defeat in the Champions League, the club's worst run in this tournament since 2005. Additionally, they have conceded 17 goals during this period. Sparta has four points and is 28th in the overall group stage standings. A loss will eliminate their chances of advancing to the playoffs.
Defender Imanol Garcia, midfielders Markus Solbakken and Angelo Preciado, and forward Indrit Tuci will miss the game due to injuries.
- The team has not lost by more than one goal in regular time in 6 of their last 7 home matches in the Champions League.
- Exactly two or three goals have been scored in 90 minutes in 8 of the last 10 home games in this European competition.
- The Czechs have conceded at least two goals in regular time in their last four Champions League matches.
Inter Milan
Simone Inzaghi's side was defeated 0-1 by Bayer Leverkusen in their last away match. As a result, Inter's four-match winning streak in the Champions League was snapped, marking their first loss in the group stage. Moreover, they conceded their first goal in this season's tournament. However, the club remains in the top eight, sitting sixth with 13 points. A single point will secure their place in the playoffs.
Defenders Francesco Acerbi and Yann-Aurel Bisseck, along with midfielder Hakan Calhanoglu, will miss the match due to injuries.
- The club has not won in regular time in 5 of their last 7 away matches in the Champions League (3 draws, 2 losses).
- At least one opponent failed to score in 90 minutes in 8 of the last 11 away games in this competition.
- The number "1" has appeared in the scoreline at the end of regular time in 5 of Inter's last 7 away matches in the Champions League.
Sparta Prague vs. Inter Milan: Match Prediction
Although Sparta Prague doesn't always secure positive results in their home Champions League matches, they often pose problems for their opponents. The team plays an attacking style regardless of the opponent's level and scores regularly: in 13 of their last home games in this European competition, they failed to score in regular time only twice, and on seven occasions, they netted at least two goals in 90 minutes.
Inter rarely struggles in attack, even in away matches: in their last nine away games in the Champions League, they failed to score in regular time against only two clubs – Manchester City and Bayer Leverkusen. However, their usually reliable defense has not been flawless: in their last five away encounters in this tournament, they have conceded a total of six goals in 90 minutes.
I expect a high-scoring game from both sides. My prediction: Both teams to score – yes
