Southampton travel to Sparta Prague on matchday five in the Europa League knowing that a win would put them on the brink of reaching the knockout stages of the competition.

Saints have taken seven points from their four matches in Europe this term, including a famous 2-1 win against Inter Milan at St Mary’s last time out, as well as beating Thursday’s opponents 3-0 at home in their first match of the group stage.

The Czech side have shown they are a different proposition since that disappointing performance, though, with new manager Zdenek Scasny winning all three of his side’s subsequent Group K fixtures, and they currently top the standings with nine points.

Despite the fact that Sparta could have up to 10 players missing for this crucial clash because of injury, they still have individuals that can hurt Claude Puel’s side.

Here are three Sparta Prague dangermen that could punish Saints…

David Lafata

Britain Soccer Football - Sparta Prague Training - St Mary's Stadium, Southampton, England - 14/9/16 Sparta Prague's David Lafata during training Action Images via Reuters / Henry Browne Livepic EDITORIAL USE ONLY.

He may be 35, but Lafata is the Sparta Prague captain and their main talisman, as shown by his goalscoring record this season.

The forward has netted 10 goals in 15 appearances for the Czech giants this term, and Saints centre-backs Virgil van Dijk and Maya Yoshida will know they have to keep a close eye on the prolific attacker on Thursday night as they look to get the three points that put them on the brink of the knockout stages.

Borek Dockal

Britain Soccer Football - Sparta Prague Training - St Mary's Stadium, Southampton, England - 14/9/16 Sparta Prague's Borek Dockal during training Action Images via Reuters / Henry Browne Livepic EDITORIAL USE ONLY.

Dockal missed Sparta Prague's 3-0 defeat against Southampton at St Mary's earlier in the season and his absence may have been one of the reasons his team were beaten so heavily on the south coast.

The midfielder is known to be one of his club's key creators, and the influential 28-year-old also provides a goal threat himself - he has netted four times in 15 appearances in all competitions this term.

Matej Pulkrab

Britain Football Soccer - Southampton v Sparta Prague - UEFA Europa League Group Stage - Group K - St Mary's Stadium, Southampton, England - 15/9/16 Sparta Prague's Matej Pulkrab in action with Southampton's Oriol Romeu Action Images via Reuters / Henry Browne Livepic EDITORIAL USE ONLY.

With Sparta set to be missing a number of their first-team players for the visit of the Saints, they will be relying on the likes of Pulkrab to make an impact in the Czech capital.

The 19-year-old is on loan from Slovan Liberec and he has already made a positive impact for his club in the Europa League this season, scoring the winning goal in the impressive 1-0 win against Hapoel Be'er Sheva in Israel last month.