* WHAT: Czech Q3 GDP and Nov inflation
* WHEN: GDP on Dec. 7, CPI on Dec. 10
* GDP growth seen ebbing to 5.8 pct, inflation up to 4.5 pct
By Mirka Krufova and Jan Lopatka
PRAGUE, Nov 29 (Reuters) - Czech economic growth ebbed slightly in the third quarter but the economy remained on a fast-track course driven by household spending, a Reuters poll showed.
The poll also showed inflation continued its march to 6-year highs in November, mainly on the back of food and fuel prices, factors that are outside the reach of monetary policy.
The poll of 13 analysts on Wednesday showed median expectation for 5.8 percent year-on-year economic growth, a slowdown from 6 percent in the second quarter.
The central European country has been growing at an over 6 percent pace for the third year in a row, and analysts say a modest cooling is underway.
"The growth structure should remain unchanged, with domestic demand driven by rising household consumption and investments," said Petr Sklenar, an analyst at Atlantik FT.
Household spending has been the key growth driver, thanks to rising wages, employment and cheap credit giving people more disposable income.
The poll put November inflation at 0.4 percent after a 0.6 percent monthly rise in the previous month. That would put the year-on-year rate at 4.5 percent, the highest since September 2001.
Global inflation factors such as oil and food price growth have been adding to inflation. The central bank expects CPI to rise to around five percent in January, in part due to a hike in the sales tax taking effect in that month.
The bank targets inflation of three percent, plus/minus 1 percentage point.
A separate Reuters poll last week showed the market was nearly evenly split between those expecting a 25 basis point interest rate rise and those forecasting that the central bank would leave rates flat at it meeting on Thursday.
The bank has raised rates by 150 basis points over the past two years, and forecasts further rate rise.
The key element for the inflation outlook, and thus for the central bank's decision-making, is the level of the crown currency.
The crown jumped to new all-timer highs of 26.42 to the euro on Wednesday, gaining 5.6 percent year-on-year and 8.2 percent since this year's lows seen in summer, before dipping back to 26.48.
(For a TABLE with forecasts on GDP, click on []) (For a TABLE with inflation and other forecasts, click on []) ((jan.lopatka@reuters.com; editing by Tony Austin; +420 224 190 477; Reuters Messaging: jan.lopatka.reuters.com@reuters.net))
Keywords: CZECH ECONOMY/
