Holding a one-goal lead from a first-leg victory, Viktoria Plzen are set to host Kryvbas Kryvyi Rih at the Doosan Arena on Thursday evening in the second leg of their Europa League third qualifying round tie.
The hosts had to come from behind to take an eventual 2-1 win home from Ukraine, leaving the visitors needing to overturn a goal deficit to keep their Europa League dreams alive.
Match preview
After winning the Czech First League title in 2021-22, Viktoria Plzen have failed to reach the same heights in the subsequent two campaigns, finishing third in both seasons.
Although they could not replicate their domestic success during those years, they managed to qualify for the group stage of a European competition each term, with the first instance marking their first qualification since the 2018-19 season.
They competed in the Champion League group stage in 2022-23, finishing bottom of a group that contained Barcelona, Inter Milan and Bayern Munich. Plzen then participated in the Europa Conference League, beating FC Drita, Gzira United FC and FC Tobol during the qualification rounds and fantastically reaching the quarter-finals, where they were eventually knocked out by Fiorentina after extra time.
Miroslav Koubek, who has been in charge of Plzen since July 2023, will be looking to once again qualify for European competition for the third successive season, and his side got off to a great start with a 2-1 comeback win in the first leg.
Plzen have had a brilliant start to their 2024-25 campaign as they aim to lift their first league title since 2021-22 and reach the Europa League league phase, remaining unbeaten after five matches with one draw and four wins.
As for their visitors, upon their return to the top flight in 2022-23, Kryvbas Kryvyi have recorded seventh and third-placed finishes, earning them a chance at Europa League qualification this year.
Their first leg match last week marked their debut appearance in European competition, and they got off to the perfect start as they scored the opening goal after 20 minutes.
However, Plzen drew level just minutes into the second half through Jiri Panos, and Yuriy Vernydub's men found themselves trailing in the 69th minute when Daniel Vasulin added a second.
Vernydub will be disappointed to have lost the first leg with his side taking 16 shots to Plzen's nine, but he will be hopeful that his side can reverse that result this time around.
Kryvbas Kryvyi fell to a disappointing defeat in their most recent outing, losing 3-0 to newly-promoted Karpaty Lviv in the Ukrainian Premier League, leaving them coming into this one on the back of two consecutive losses.
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Team News
The hosts have a potentially extensive injury list for this match with all of Cheick Souare, Christophe Kabongo, Jan Paluska, Jan Sykora, Lukas Cerv, Lukas Hejda, Martin Jedlicka, Rafiu Durosinmi and Viktor Baier remaining doubtful.
Vasulin has scored in each of his last two appearances, including the first leg of this tie, and the forward is expected to start once again here.
Prince Kwabena Adu scored his first competitive goal of the campaign in the first leg, and the striker could be in line for another start in this one.
Elsewhere, Vernydub could make a number of changes after his side have suffered two consecutive defeats leading up to this game, meaning players such as Jean Morel Poe and Daniel Sosah could feature.
Viktoria Plzen possible starting lineup:
Tvrdon; Dweh, Hranac, Jemelka; Kopic, Panos, Kalvach, Havel; Sulc, Sloncik; Vasulin
Kryvbas Kryvyi Rih possible starting lineup:
Klishchuk; Poniedielnik, Romanchuk, Stetskov, Dibango; Kuzyk, Vakulko, Bizimana, Tverdokhlib, Mykytyshyn; Adu
We say: Viktoria Plzen 2-0 Kryvbas Kryvyi Rih (Viktoria Plzen win 4-1 on aggregate)
Plzen managed to come from behind to take a crucial 2-1 victory away from the first leg, and with them now boasting the home advantage, while the visitors have lost both their last two games, we expect the hosts to win this one.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
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