What an open start to the game! Southampton midfielder Pierre Hojbjerg nods it back to his keeper but sells Fraser Forster short and David Lafata gets there first, he's stretching though and can only lift a shot into the massive England goalkeeper's reach.

Could easily be 1-1. Very vocal support in the Generali Arena...

Lovely move from Southampton as they open up Sparta, Jordy Clasie dummied the shot to tee up Jay Rodriguez very much in the spirit of Sheringham-Shearer 1996.

Unfortunately for the Saints, Rodriguez takes a terrible touch and the chance is gone. Needed to set and shoot in one there...

Image source, Ajax

Ajax are already through in Group G on 10 points so they hand four European debuts out tonight. Matthijs de Ligt is the youngest at 17 years of age, while Frenkie De Jong, 19, Abdelhak Nouri, 19, and Pelle Clement, 20, are involved.

How posh are Ajax by the way? Every player gets his own name in lights above his kit in the changing room.

The Dutch side host Panathinaikos who have just one point and stare elimination in the face.

The key game in the group comes as Standard Liege travel to Celta Vigo, with both locked on five points.

Saints in black get us under way, Sparta in a nice yellow number. 

You can see some of the pitch JP...

BBC Radio Solent

Former Southampton boss Dave Merrington, speaking to BBC Radio Solent: "It's a tight little ground and the fans are close to the pitch. It reminds me a little bit of The Dell.

"If Southampton can win this game - they have a number of games coming up - it will take the pressure off. If they can get the points tonight then the players will be more comfortable over the next few games."

Image source, Rex Features

Sparta Prague: Koubek, Karavaev, Mazuch, Michal Kadlec, Nhamoinesu, Julis, Holek, Marecek, Holzer, Dockal, Lafata. Subs: Miller, Dudl, Havelka, Milan Kadlec, Kostl, Majka, Novotny.

Southampton: Forster, Martina, Yoshida, van Dijk, McQueen, Clasie, Hojbjerg, Ward-Prowse, Rodriguez, Redmond, Long. Subs: Lewis, Davis, Austin, Romeu, Boufal, Bertrand, Stephens.

Referee: Jesus Gil Manzano (Don Benito) 

Image source, Reuters

Just 10 minutes to go now then until kick-off in Prague.

A reminder that the Saints can progress tonight with a win, so long as Hapoel Beer-Sheva do not beat Inter Milan.

Former Southampton and England striker Matt Le Tissier, speaking to BBC Radio Solent: "It will be brilliant to be sat with the Saints fans in Prague. I remember doing it in my playing career at Liverpool and QPR but I have never done it abroad.

"When the fixtures came out I was bit disappointed because I was working the night of the away game against Inter Milan. This is the next best thing.

"The key will be the first 20 minutes, keeping the ball and quieting the game down. Sparta have lost their manager since we played them in September. I expect them to be better than they were at St Mary's."

We won't top this.

Barnet left-back Joe Payne, 17, scores a goal from just inside the opposition half against Enfield Town in the Middlesex Senior Challenge Cup.  

The cameraman's audible laughter as it hits the net really sets it off. Bonus points awarded for going in off the post. From 50 yards. 

The Europa League permutations are often only solved by Oxbridge boffins, but we're not quite at critical mass just yet.

What does rather cloud the waters is the fact that eight teams from the Champions League are unceremoniously parachuted in into the first knockout stage in February.

The round of 32 is beginning to take shape. Here's who will definitely be in there at this stage:

Image source, Reuters

Zenit St Petersburg, Shakhtar Donetsk, Schalke, Ajax, Borussia Monchengladbach.

Southampton

Southampton manager Claude Puel: "It is an important game, but it is not decisive. We will still have one game at home. But it is a good idea to win of course and get the opportunity with victory to qualify.

"We play a strong team and it's important to play on the ground and with good spirit."

Sparta Prague's record in 19 matches against English teams is, well, rubbish.

They've won three, drawn four and lost 12. 

They are without a victory in their last 15 fixtures involving Premier League teams (D4 L11) since a 3-2 triumph at Watford on 23 November 1983.  

Almost to the day then...

Kyle: Another strong team from Southampton. I can see them winning 3-1 and progressing to the knockout stages

Image source, Getty Images

Southampton have scored in only one of their last eight games on the road in Europe (a 2-0 victory at Vitesse in August 2015) since a 3-0 success at Limerick in September 1981.  

Image source, EPA

Miroslav Stoch has just thumped Fenerbahce ahead against Zorya Luhansk and within minutes, Simon Kjaer doubles the advantage.

Stoch gets his fourth goal in as many Europa League games by cutting in from the left to shoot right-footed into the top corner via a desperate hand from the keeper. Kjaer meets a free-kick with a bullet header.

Nice goals. More importantly, this result would mean Manchester United will be eliminated if they lose at home against Feyenoord.

Got any thoughts on the Europa League, the merits of a trip to Hartlepool, getting to Prague a week after having a child?

Fire away, we're all ears.

You can text us on 81111 (UK Only) or tweet us at #bbcfootball. 

24 November 2009: Southampton win 3-1 at Hartlepool United in League One in front of 3,818.

24 November 2016: Southampton face Sparta Prague knowing victory could send them through to the knockout stages of the Europa League.

Image source, Getty Images

They may be on the brink of European progress, but seven years ago to the day Southampton were away at Hartlepool in League One.

They won 3-1, and quite right too when you look back at their team that night.

Morgan Schneiderlin, Adam Lallana, Rickie Lambert and Michail Antonio, in League One? That's about £60m worth of transfers!

Image source, Reuters

It's a tight group down in Group K, but Southampton are handily placed with nine points thus far.

Opponents Sparta Prague will qualify with a win or a draw, but a win for Claude Puel's team would guarantee passsage to the last 32, so long as Hapoel Beer-Sheva do not beat Inter Milan.

OK?