Monaco vs Sparta Prague

Monaco and Sparta Prague are set to exchange tackles at the Stade Louis II in the return leg of their UEFA Champions League third-round qualifying tie.

A comfortable 2-0 first-leg triumph in the Czech Republic saw Monaco put one foot in the play-offs. However, goals from Aurélien Tchouaméni and Kevin Volland on either side of half-time could prove insufficient for progression if ‘Les Monégasques‘ fail to halt a disastrous seven-match losing home streak in this competition. Monaco’s last appearance in the Champions League group stage dates back to 2018/19, with the club from the French principality going winless in 12 straight such fixtures (D3, L9), something they’d like to improve on this time around. Coming into this clash, Monaco played out an underwhelming 1-1 home draw with Nantes in their Ligue 1 curtain-raiser despite opening the scoring within 15 minutes of play. Monaco’s home wobble has seen them win just two of their last five home games in all competitions (D2, L1) if considered just 90 minutes.

Meanwhile, since making the Champions League group stage in 2005/06, the visitors have failed to negotiate their qualifying campaign in the subsequent seven attempts. A dismal overall away European record against Ligue 1 clubs derails Sparta’s hopes of pulling off a comeback here (W1, D1, L3), with their last two competitive trips to France yielding identical 2-1 losses. What’s more, the 12-time Czech First League champions need to secure a victory by at least a two-goal margin to progress, an achievement they have only managed once in away Champions League games in nearly 20 years. Pavel Vrba’s men can take some confidence from breaking within 25 minutes of play in three consecutive domestic road trips (W3) as they need a flying start to boost their hopes of beating Monaco here.