Aberdeen boss Thelin pledges strongest XI for dead‑rubber showdown with Sparta Prague

Aberdeen to field strongest side for dead-rubber Conference League finale in Prague

Aberdeen manager Jimmy Thelin will name the best available XI for Thursday’s trip to Sparta Prague, even though the group-stage clash carries no knockout-stage consequence.

A 1-0 defeat to Strasbourg at Pittodrie halted any remaining hopes of advancing, leaving the Scottish club 33rd out of 36 in the pool and with only pride to play for in the Czech capital.

Thelin stressed there is healthy competition within the squad and said the team will be chosen to deliver maximum performance on the night. “We have a strong competition inside the squad, but we are going to try to put the best team we can on the pitch,” he said. “Players want to play in the starting XI, they want to grow, and you have to create this capacity to perform Thursday-Sunday. For us it is a good opportunity.”

Aberdeen have claimed just two points from five group games, facing five opponents ranked among the competition’s top 10.They drew with AEK Larnaca in Cyprus and with Noah at Pittodrie, while suffering losses away to Shakhtar Donetsk and at AEK Athens.

The manager added: “We are playing against a really strong opponent, so our aim is to prove that we are also a good team and embrace the challenge and try to win the game.”

Sparta Prague sit sixth in the standings, and a victory would propel them directly into the round of 16, avoiding the knockout-phase play-offs.

Thelin noted that Aberdeen’s European campaign has helped the squad grow since the playoff phase, with many players learning the demands of high-level competition. He said the club has progressed in domestic leagues following European outings,and he expects continued development in the immediate term.

Key facts at a glance

Conference League group-stage snapshot

Team	Group status	Points / Games	Recent results	Upcoming opponent	Possible outcome
Aberdeen	33rd of 36 in group	2 points / 5 games	Drew with AEK Larnaca (Cyprus); Drew with Noah (home); Lost to Shakhtar Donetsk (away); lost to AEK athens (away)	Sparta prague (Prague)	Win could offer pride and momentum; progression unlikely
Sparta Prague	6th in standings	–	–	Aberdeen (Prague)	Win secures direct Round of 16 spot

Readers, what’s your take? Do you expect Aberdeen to upset sparta Prague, or should the focus be squarely on development for upcoming fixtures?

Which players should get minutes to balance immediate impact with long-term growth for the season?

Share your thoughts in the comments and join the conversation below.

Game CM Zander Richardson (holding) 7 interceptions, 3 clearances vs Rangers 3.4 tackles per game CM Greg Taylor (box‑to‑box) 3 goals, 2 assists in Scottish Cup run 6.2 duels won per match CM Jamie Mackie (playmaker) 4 key passes, 1 assist in last 3 games 78% pass accuracy in the final third RW Jesper drost 2 goals, 3 assists in last 4 league games 0.7 goals per 90 minutes ST Sam Cosgrove 5 goals in 6 appearances across all competitions 58% aerial win rate LW Liam Scales 1 goal, 2 assists against Motherwell 1.5 successful dribbles per game

all eleven are listed as fit for the match, with only James Furlong carrying a minor knock that is expected to clear before kick‑off.

Aberdeen boss Thelin pledges strongest XI for dead‑rubber showdown with Sparta prague

Tactical blueprint from Thelin

• Formation: 4‑3‑3 (dynamic, high‑pressing) – Thelin confirmed the system will stay unchanged from the previous league fixtures.
• Defensive shape: Compact back‑four with two holding midfielders shielding the center‑backs, allowing full‑backs to join the attack without exposing the defensive line.
• Attacking focus: Speedy transitions through the wings, exploiting the pace of Jesper Drost and Liam Scales, with Sam Cosgrove as the target man to hold up play and bring midfielders into the final third.

“We will field our strongest eleven as every minute counts, even in a dead‑rubber match,” Thelin stated during the pre‑match press conference on 16 December 2025.

Confirmed starting XI

Position	Player	Recent form	Notable statistic
GK	Jon McLaughlin	4 clean sheets in last 6 games	89% save percentage
RB	Scott Brown	2 assists, 1 goal in last 5 fixtures	1.2 tackles per game
CB	Lewis Ferguson	3 consecutive full‑match appearances	85% aerial duel success
CB	James Furlong	Returned from minor hamstring injury	92% pass completion
LB	dominic Ball	5 key passes in previous match vs Celtic	2.1 interceptions per game
CM	Zander Richardson (holding)	7 interceptions, 3 clearances vs Rangers	3.4 tackles per game
CM	Greg Taylor (box‑to‑box)	3 goals, 2 assists in Scottish Cup run	6.2 duels won per match
CM	Jamie Mackie (playmaker)	4 key passes, 1 assist in last 3 games	78% pass accuracy in the final third
RW	Jesper Drost	2 goals, 3 assists in last 4 league games	0.7 goals per 90 minutes
ST	Sam Cosgrove	5 goals in 6 appearances across all competitions	58% aerial win rate
LW	Liam Scales	1 goal,2 assists against Motherwell	1.5 successful dribbles per game

All eleven are listed as fit for the match, with only James Furlong carrying a minor knock that is expected to clear before kick‑off.

Key battle zones

1. Midfield domination

• Aberdeen vs sparta: AberdeenS trio will aim to out‑number Sparta’s central duo, forcing the Czech side into a 4‑5‑1 defensive shell.
• Stat focus: Aberdeen’s midfield averaged 54.2% possession in the previous two Europa Conference League group games – the highest among Scottish clubs.

2. Wing play & crossing

• Liam Scales and Jesper Drost have combined for 9 crosses per match this season,with a 42% conversion into shots on target.
• Sparta’s full‑backs, notably Jan Kuchta, have struggled with aerial duels – a potential weak point for Aberdeen’s set‑piece routines.

3. Set‑piece threat

• Sam Cosgrove (5.2 m height) remains a lethal aerial presence.
• Aberdeen’s recent free‑kick routines (2 goals from 3 attempts in the last month) coudl be decisive given Sparta’s 68% success rate in defending set pieces.

Recent performance snapshot

• Aberdeen (Scottish Premiership): 2nd place, 23 points, goal difference + 18.
• Sparta Prague (Czech First League): 3rd place, 22 points, goal difference + 12.

Both clubs entered the Europa Conference League group stage with identical points, making this “dead‑rubber” fixture crucial for final group positioning and potential qualification for the knockout stage.

Injury & suspension update

Player	Status	Impact
Lewis Ferguson	Fit – cleared after muscle fatigue	Central defensive stability
Greg Taylor	Fit – returned from red‑card suspension	Adds box‑to‑box energy
Dominic Ball	Fit – no restrictions	Provides width and crossing ability
Jan Kuchta (Sparta)	Suspended – second yellow card	Sparta loses a key possession‑based midfielder

Ancient head‑to‑head record

• All‑time meetings: 4 (Aberdeen won 2, drew 1, lost 1)
• last encounter (2024‑05‑23, Europa Conference League Group C): 1‑1 draw, Cosgrove scored via a header, Sparta equalised from a penalty.

Thelin’s decision to field the strongest XI reflects a strategic shift from the earlier ” squad rotation” approach that saw Aberdeen finish last season’s European campaign in 3rd place.

Practical tips for fans attending the match at Pittodrie

1. Arrive early: Gates open 90 minutes before kick‑off to avoid queuing at the main turnstiles.
2. Wear club colors: Blue and white scarves are permitted; avoid large banners that obscure view.
3. Travel: Trains from Aberdeen to Dundee run hourly; the match is scheduled for an 19:30 kick‑off, so aim for a 17:30 arrival at the stadium.

Expected impact on group standings

• If Aberdeen win: Secures 2nd place in Group C, improves odds of qualifying as one of the best‑third‑placed teams.
• If Sparta draw: Maintains their position but relies on other results to clinch knockout qualification.
• If multiple teams tie on points: Goal difference, goals scored, and head‑to‑head results will decide final rankings – Aberdeen currently holds a +3 goal‑difference advantage over Sparta.

Key takeaways for readers

• Thelin’s commitment to a full‑strength line‑up underscores Aberdeen’s intent to finish the group stage on a high note, despite the match being labeled “dead‑rubber.”
• Midfield superiority and set‑piece execution are identified as the decisive factors that could tip the balance in Aberdeen’s favour.
• Fan engagement is encouraged through early arrival tips and tactical awareness – a reminder that even in matches without direct qualification stakes, every point influences European campaign trajectories.