Czech side Sparta Prague are competing in the group stage of the UEFA Cup/Europa League for the fourth time in five years but have yet to progress beyond the group phase in Europe's second level club competition.
The Czech champions are currently third in the league in the new season with 15 points from eight games. This is certainly not a great start to the campaign but they will be keen to resurrect themselves against Palermo at home on Thursday.
"We had several observers at Palermo's games against Cagliari and at Brescia,'' said Sparta coach Jozef Chovanec. "We have been watching the tapes and we are ready."
Kickstarting Their Season
Palermo narrowly missed out on a Champions League place last season when they pipped to the fourth spot in Serie A by Sampdoria. The Sicilians also lost a few key players this summer and have made their worst start to a league campaign since gaining promotion to Italy's top-flight six years ago.
Having drawn 0-0 with Cagliari and losing 3-2 to Brescia in their opening two games of the new league season, Palermo need to conjure up something on Thursday and breathe life into their season and striker Abel Hernandez knows that.
"We have struggled in the domestic campaign so far,'' he said. "We know we need to improve in every aspect of our game. We will try to change the trend in our next games. A win in Prague could be the turning point for us.''
He added, "We have the right players to do well. It will be crucial to take small steps, focusing on each game in order to go through to the next round.I am certain we will go far in this competition.''
TEAM NEWS
Sparta Prague
Juraj Kucka, Marek Matejovsky and Stepan Vachousek are suspended.
Probable Lineup (4-1-4-1): Blazek, A. Bondoa, Hoheneder, Hejda, Pamic; Kladrubsky; Sionko, Jeslinek, Lacny, Krejci; Wilfred
Palermo
Coach Delio Rossi will be without strikers Fabrizio Miccoli and Mauricio Pinilla, who are still sidelined through injury. Midfielder Antonio Nocerino is suspended.
Probable Lineup (4-3-1-2): Sirigu, Cassani, Munoz, Bovo, Balzaretti; Migliaccio, Liverani, Kasami; Pastore; Hernandez, Maccarone
Prediction
This game is likely to end in a draw.
Sparta Praha 1-1 Palermo 
