Two winless sides after the opening round of the UEFA Europa League (UEL) league phase meet in the Czech Republic, as Viktoria Plzeň host Malmö.
Match News and Current Form
Plzeň drew 1-1 against Ferencváros on matchday one of the UEL last week, but things could have been so much better considering the Czech side led going into stoppage time. A 94th-minute equaliser cruelly denied them the perfect start to their league phase campaign, and things went from bad to worse over the weekend when they went down 1-0 at home to Zlin, cutting them ten points adrift of the Chance Liga summit. That defeat spelled the end of former coach Miroslav Koubek, who was dismissed on Monday, and Marek Bakoš will assume temporary charge for this game. On the surface, things promise to get better in the UEL, where Plzeň have won ten of their last 13 home games (D1, L2), but with both losses coming across their last four such games, the tide could be turning on their home fortunes in the UEL.
Malmö missed the chance to open their UEL campaign with a victory when they went down 2-1 at home to Ludogorets on matchday one. The Swedish side have fallen at the group/league phase in their last two UEL appearances, so have some demons to banish in this season’s competition. Taking the first step on the road to redemption seems unlikely for a side who have won just one of their last 17 UEL games (D2, L14), and although optimistic Malmö fans will be keen to point out that sole win did come away from home in last season’s competition, conceding 2+ goals in their last six competition games is much more what fans have come to expect of the 24-time Swedish champions.
Head-to-Head History
These sides have never met before. Plzeň have also never met Swedish opposition, but Malmö have faced Czech opposition nine times before (W3, D1, L5), with two of those wins coming against Sigma Olomouc in UEL qualifying this season.
Hot Stats and Streaks
Plzeň have only kept one clean sheet in their last seven games.
Plzeň won more fouls (21) than any other side in the first UEL round.
Malmö’s last six UEL games saw both teams score.
Malmö have scored in eight of their last nine UEL away games.
Key Players to Watch and Missing Players
Rafiu Durosinmi was on target for Plzeň against Ferencváros, with that his fourth goal from his last five at club level to arrive before half-time. Malmö’s Daníel Guðjohnsen scored against Sigma in the qualifying rounds and has opened the scoring on his last four scoring appearances for the club.
Plzeň are close to full strength here, while Malmo’s lengthy injury list is headed up by Erik Botheim.
For all the latest team news, please check the Flashscore match centre.
Betting Analysis
The hosts were unlucky on matchday one and against a Malmö side who are historically poor in the UEL, we’re backing Plzeň to win here.
Author: Chris Wilson
