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FC Ararat enter this match with solid domestic form. They earned a convincing 3-0 win over FC Syunik and a 1-0 derby victory against FC Ararat Yerevan in the Armenian Premier League. They qualified for the Europa League main stage by defeating Romanian side CS Universitatea Craiova in the playoff round, showing strong defensive resilience at home. AC Sparta Praha return to European action following a comfortable 2-0 victory against FK Jablonec in the Czech First League, with goals from Josimar Alcocer and John Mercado. Sparta Praha are regular contenders in European league stages, possessing significantly more overall tactical depth and experience in high-tempo international fixtures compared to the hosts. The two clubs met in European qualifying during the 2025–26 season, where Sparta Praha won 4-1 in Prague, 2-1 in Yerevan. Ararat-Armenia are notoriously tough to play at the Vazgen Sargsyan Republican Stadium in Yerevan, leveraging the home support and warm early autumn weather to press opponents early.