Southampton v S Prague preview

Southampton begin their Europa League campaign with the visit of Sparta Prague to St Mary’s on Thursday evening.

Claude Puel’s side have collected just two points from their opening four Premier League games, but will be looking to get their European campaign up and running at the first time of asking.

They crashed out at the playoff stage of the competition last season, but a sixth-place league finish ensured automatic qualification for the group stage this year, where they will also face Inter Milan and Hapoel Be’er Sheva.

“We’re looking forward to it a lot,” defender Virgil van Dijk said in the pre-match press conference. 

“Southampton have come from far, so to be in this competition right now is amazing. We need to enjoy it, but still we have a lot of opportunities coming …

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