Sparta Prague v Bournemouth preview: kick-off time, team news and form

Bournemouth head to the Czech capital on Thursday 5th November to take on Sparta Prague at the Generali Arena, kicking off at 5.45pm UK time, in the latest round of the Europa League league phase.

The Cherries arrive in fine fettle, sitting third in the league phase table after winning all three of their opening fixtures, according to the Bournemouth Echo (Bournemouth Echo). Marco Rose's side have made a habit of winning away from home in Europe, having already beaten Real Sociedad on the road before following up with home wins over Sturm Graz and AC Milan to make it three from three in the competition: WWW. Back on home soil, Bournemouth go into this one 8th in the Premier League.

Sparta Prague's European form has been far more mixed. The hosts beat Ararat-Armenia, drew with Lillestrom, and then lost away at Olympiacos in their last three Europa League outings, leaving them with a WDL run heading into this meeting. The Bournemouth Echo describes the trip as the Cherries' second away day of this Europa League campaign, continuing their push through the league phase (Bournemouth Echo).

There's plenty on the line for Bournemouth beyond just three points. The Bournemouth Echo reports that the Cherries are on the verge of breaking a 56-year-old English top-flight record and could make history if they're ahead at half-time against Sparta (Bournemouth Echo). There's also a notable European record being eyed, with the Echo previewing the game as the Cherries aiming to preserve a perfect European record against the Czech side (Bournemouth Echo).

On the team news front, Marco Rose has been speaking ahead of the match, urging his players to "be alert" against what he called a "good team that like to play football," according to the Bournemouth Echo (Bournemouth Echo). AFCB.co.uk reports that Rose has also provided injury updates on Juanlu and Tóth ahead of the trip (AFCB.co.uk). Meanwhile, the Bournemouth Echo notes that Junior Kroupi is set to return to Bournemouth's European squad for the next league phase game after this one, against Celta Vigo at the end of November, with the plan always being to bring him back into the group after four matches (Bournemouth Echo). James Hill also joined Rose in speaking to the media as part of the pre-match press duties (Bournemouth Echo) (Bournemouth Echo).

Fans have been making the journey out to Prague too, with the Bournemouth Echo running a fan guide to the city for the travelling Cherries faithful (Bournemouth Echo), while BBC Sport spoke to one supporter who described the trip as a "pinch me moment" (BBC Sport).

You can follow all the action from the Generali Arena when Sparta Prague host Bournemouth in the Europa League, with kick-off at 5.45pm UK time on Thursday 5th November.

Written with the help of AI, using the match facts and the headlines from the publishers credited above. Each point links to the original report — tap the source name to read it in full.