Liverpool went into the first leg playing over-cautiously and managing to carve out a dull goalless draw at the Generali Arena, where they could have, and probably should have, registered a victory to ease the pressure.
Not that a home game against the Czech side creates any undue pressure on the Reds, but it would have made the job a much simpler task as it would have only been a formality to see them off at Anfield instead of having to win the game as they need to presently.
Kenny Dalglish will likely field a stronger line-up than the one he did during the previous game, and with the Kop behind his men it appears to be a relatively straightforward game on paper.
But football matches are not won on paper, and the players will have to battle it out and claim a victory to progress into the last 16 of the tournament.
With home advantage on their side, however, the Merseyside outfit are certainly strong favourites to brush past their opponents and make their way to the next stage of the continental competition.
Nothing to lose
Sparta Prague really have nothing to lose, since they were pitted against a much stronger opponent who were expected to make no bones in finishing them off and pushing onward into the next knockout round of the tournament.
Instead, the over-cautious style of play from Dalglish’s men has given the Czech club a glimmer of hope that they may be able to spring an upset in the second leg. But this unlikely event will be a herculean task for Jozef Chovanec’s charges, as they have it all to do at Anfield - where the atmosphere could be intimidating on European nights.
However, the defensive approach coupled with the Dalglish fielding a relatively weakened side could give some hope for the visitors, as the Reds could potentially underestimate them and fall prey to a shock defeat in their own backyard.
But to do this, Sparta Prague will have to give it everything when they are in possession of the ball, as anything lesser than a 100 per cent effort is likely to end in a defeat at the backyard of one of the most successful teams in Europe.
TEAM NEWS
Liverpool
There are reports that skipper Steven Gerrard is still struggling to regain his fitness, and manager Kenny Dalglish recently hinted that it may be wise not to risk the 30-year-old in this game.
Otherwise, Daniel Agger is expected to return to the fold after missing the first leg of the double header.
Possible starting XI: Reina; Kelly, Carragher, Agger, Wilson, Johnson; Poulsen, Lucas, Meireles; Cole; Kuyt.
Sparta Prague
The Czech side have nothing to lose and should put in a strong line-up hoping to score one goal in the hope of pressurising their opponents and potentially progressing with a narrow win, or the away goals rule.
Possible starting XI: Blazek; Kusnir, Repka, Brabec, Pamic; Keric, Vacek, Abena, Matejovsky; Kadlec, Kweuke.
Prediction
Liverpool should have relatively little trouble brushing past their opponents, as they have home advantage and the quality in the squad to push forward into the next knockout round.
Liverpool 3-0 Sparta Praha 
