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Viktoria Plzen play host to FC Kryvbas at Doosan Arena in the second leg of the UEFA Europa League third qualifying round on Thursday. Yuriy Vernydub’s men suffered a 2-1 loss in last week’s first leg and will head into the tie looking to overturn their one-goal deficit.
Five different players found the back of the net at Doosan Arena as Viktoria Plzen demolished MFK Karvina 5-0 in the Czech top flight last Sunday.
Miroslav Koubek’s side have picked up three wins and one draw from their opening four games in the 1. Liga to collect 10 points from a possible 12 and sit second in the table.
Plzen now turn their attention to the Europa League qualifiers where they secured a 2-1 first-leg victory over FC Kryvbas in last week’s third qualifying round tie.
Prince Kwabena Adu opened the scoring in the 20th minute to put Kryvbas in front at the Košická futbalová aréna but Jiri Panos and Daniel Vasulin scored second-half goals to help Plzen turn the game on its head.
Vernydub’s men have now lost three of their last four matches across all competitions, with a 1-0 victory over Chornomorets Odesa on August 13 being the exception.
Kryvbas will follow Thursday's tie with a clash against Veres Rivne in the Ukrainian Premier League, where they picked up one win and lost one of their opening two matches.
Viktoria Plzen vs FC Kryvbas Head-To-Head and Key Numbers
- This will be the third encounter between the two teams, with Viktoria Plzen claiming two wins in their two previous encounters.
- Koubek’s men picked up a 3-0 victory when they first met in a friendly matchup on January 28 before claiming a 2-1 win in last week’s first leg.
- Kryvbas have failed to win four of their last five matches across all competitions, losing three and claiming one draw since the third week of July.
- Viktoria Plzen have won all but one of their last five matches across all competitions this season, with a goalless draw against Jablonec on August 3 being the exception.
Viktoria Plzen vs FC Kryvbas Prediction
While FC Kryvbas will be looking to make a remarkable comeback, Koubek’s men boast a superior and more experienced squad, and we are backing them to build on their huge result over Karviná and secure another dominant victory.
Prediction: Viktoria Plzen 3-0 FC Kryvbas
Viktoria Plzen vs FC Kryvbas Betting Tips
Tip 1: Result - Viktoria Plzen to win
Tip 2: Over 2.5 goals - Yes (There have been at least three goals in five of Viktoria Plzen’s last seven games)
Tip 3: Over 4.5 cards - No (There have been fewer than five bookings in eight of the visitors’ last nine matches)
