Viktoria Plzen v Hearts Live Stream & Tips - Plzen to Break Hearts in the Europa League

Ryan Allan

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Last updated: 22 Aug 2024

Ryan Allan 22 Aug 2024

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Watch Viktoria Plzen v Hearts in the Europa League playoffs
Hearts in search of their first win of the new season
Can Plzen claim a first-leg advantage on Thursday?

Expired

Lawrence Shankland set to lead the Hearts attack on Thursday (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

Viktoria Plzen v Hearts Predictions
Head to Head
Viktoria Plzen Form
Viktoria Plzen Team News
Hearts Form
Hearts Team News

Viktoria Plzen v Hearts Predictions

Viktoria Plzen are in great form, and with a superb home record in this competition, are expected to claim a first-leg advantage.

Viktoria Plzen won 6 of their last 7 matches
Viktoria Plzen won 9 of their last 11 home matches (Europa League)
Viktoria Plzen scored 2+ goals in their last 9 home victories (Europa League)
Hearts lost 5 of their last 6 matches
Hearts conceded 2+ goals in their last 9 away defeats

Head to Head

Viktoria Plzen and Hearts will meet for the first time on Thursday.

Viktoria Plzen Form

Viktoria Plzen maintained their superb early-season form with a comfortable 3-0 win at České Budějovice in the Czech Liga on Sunday. The Viktorka won each of their last four matches, while they remain unbeaten in seven games across all competitions (W6, D1).

Led by veteran boss Miroslav Koubek, Plzen secured their place in Thursday's playoff with a 3-1 aggregate victory against Ukrainians Kryvbas.

The Czech side boast a strong home record in this competition, winning 21 of 30 Europa League games at Doosan Aréna since 2010.

Viktoria Plzen Team News

Head coach Koubek is likely to retain faith in the same selection that edged past Kryvbas last week.

Injured trio Jan Sykora, Christophe Kabongo and Martin Jedlicka are expected to remain unavailable on Thursday.

Hearts Form

Hearts arrive in Czechia winless this season after a shock 2-0 defeat against Falkirk in the Scottish League Cup. The Jambos lost five of their last six games (including pre-season friendlies), although they did collect a point in a 0-0 draw against Rangers in the Premiership.

A poor run of away form has seen Hearts fail to win any of their last seven road games since the end of April.

Having only competed in the Europa League once since 2016, the Edinburgh side have not reached the group stage since 2004.

Hearts Team News

Steven Naismith will make alterations to his selection after a limp display in Saturday's cup defeat at Falkirk.

Lawrence Shankland, Cammie Devlin, and Jorge Grant are among those expected to earn a recall on Thursday.

Austrian midfielder Calem Nieuwenhof remains the only absentee for the away side.

Verdict

Viktoria Plzen v Hearts

Pilzen should prove too good for their out-of-form Scottish visitors.

A home win with a minimum of two goals scored is my only choice in Czechia.

Plzen Win/Over 1.5

Result & Team Goals

@8/11 - 3 Units

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