Sparta Prague vs Southampton; UEFA Europa League Group K
Sparta Prague vs Southampton. UEFA Europa League Group K.
Generali ArenaAttendance17,429.
Sparta Prague v Southampton preview: Saints on cusp of Europa League knockout qualification
Thursday 24 November 2016 17:14, UK
Southampton could seal their place in the final 32 of the Europa League if they win away to Sparta Prague on Thursday evening (kick-off 6pm).
They currently sit second in Group K - two points behind their opponents this week - and will qualify for the knockout rounds if they win at Sparta Prague and Hapoel Be'er Sheva do not beat Inter Milan at home.
Striker Shane Long is set to start up front in place of Charlie Austin, and he believes it is a massive game for the Saints.
"For them it could mean qualification from the group and the same for us," said Long. "They are a different team to the one we faced in the first game.
"They've come on a lot and are playing with a lot more confidence on back of a lot of good results.
"It will be a hard test for us but we are prepared for that. We have the players to go out there and win but we know it won't be easy."
Team news
Southampton captain Jose Fonte has not travelled with the squad to the Czech Republic, along with Matt Targett, Harrison Reed and Dusan Tadic.
James Ward-Prowse does make the trip after missing out over the weekend with an injury while the remainder of the squad avaliable for selection.
Sparta Prague will not have any injured players returning for their home clash, with David Lafata and Mario Holek not yet back in training while Matej Pulkrab is suspended.
Opta stats
Sparta Prague have failed to score in each of their last seven European home games against English opposition (inc. qualifiers).
Southampton are one of six sides yet to score a goal away from home in the Europa League group stages this season (Athletic Bilbao, AZ, BSC Young Boys, Steaua Bucharest and Zorya Luhansk).
The Saints have failed to score in seven of their last eight European away trips (inc. qualifiers), with a current run of three games without a goal.
Southampton have conceded just six goals in their last 10 European games (inc. qualifiers), never conceding more than once in a game.
Southampton have recorded just one win in all competitions so far this season on the road (D3 L4); with the Saints without a win in their last five (D3 L2).
After four matchdays, the Saints have faced just nine shots on target; only Shakhtar Donetsk have faced fewer (6).
