The derby is coming

Once again, you can’t really compare each clubs’ positions in the league table right now. While Sparta fights for the top spot, Slavia struggles in the bottom half, with 26 points less than Sparta, avoiding the relegation battle.

“That does not really matter, derby is always a match in which these things do not make difference,” said Vítězslav Lavička, who will be leading his team to a battle for a fifth consecutive derby win.

Václav Kadlec missed three of them, due to his spell with Eintracht Frankfurt. Last time he met Slavia at Letná, he tallied one goal and an assist to beat Slavia 3-1.

“I’m really looking forward to playing this kind of match again,” Kadlec said. “I remember my last derby well, it would be great if we could get a result like this again.”

In the last three clashes with Slavia, Sparta were truly successful, beating the rivals 3-0 at home, and 2-0 twice away. David Lafata, the team captain, scored three goals in these games, and is an offensive threat again this time.

“It’s a special match for all of us. The stadium is sold out, everyone’s really focused on the match, you can feel it. It has certain magic, like any other match,” said the captain, who already scored twelve league goals this season.

While it may seem Sparta’s starting eleven is obvious, it may actually change. Pavel Kadeřábek is recovering from his knee injury, he is slowly resuming a full training and could be available for the derby. His start is, however, probably a game-time decision.

The Prague derby vs. Slavia Prague kicks-off on Saturday 11/4 at 7.15pm CET. The stadium is sold out and no other tickets are currently on sale.