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With the Europa League set to resume on Thursday, Viktoria Plzen will welcome Levski Sofia to Doosan Arena in a potentially crucial clash in the race to avoid elimination.
Neither side have yet won a game in the league phase yet, with the hosts currently in 32nd place having lost both games so far, while the visitors only have one point and are in 25th place.
Read our prediction, preview and betting tips for the game below, and make sure to check out our today's betting tips page for more of our expert predictions.
Viktoria Plzen vs Levski Sofia key stats
- Both teams have scored in six of Viktoria Plzen's last eight home games.
- Viktoria Plzen have been leading at half time in two of their past three matches.
- Levski Sofia's Reinaldo has scored two goals in his last two games.
Viktoria Plzen vs Levski Sofia preview: A key battle to avoid elimination?
Viktoria Plzen vs Levski Sofia — Tale of the Tape
| Viktoria Plzen | vs | Levski Sofia |
|---|---|---|
| 32nd | Position (Europa League) | 25th |
| 0 | Points | 1 |
| 1 | Goals For | 1 |
| 5 | Goals Against | 2 |
| 0 | Clean Sheets | 0 |
| 33rd | Home / Away Rank | 18th |
Nothing will be decided in the league phase of the Europa League after three matchweeks, but failure to take any points would be disastrous for the hosts.
Plzen lost 3-0 against Union St. Gilloise and 2-1 against Ferencvaros, and another loss would almost certainly leave them competing for a place in the playoff spots.
Manager Radoslav Kovac has not experienced much domestic success this season either, with his side currently ninth in the Czech top flight with 16 points from 11 matchweeks.
If Plzen are to claim their first European points of the campaign, they will need midfielders Stefan Pirgic and Patrik Hrosovsky to be at their best.
Levski Sofia come into the clash having drawn 1-1 with NEC Nijmegen on October 15, and while they were competitive for much of the first half, the club were fortunate to only concede once.
The visitors are at least unbeaten in their last three games, drawing once and winning twice, though they have only won two of their past six fixtures in all competitions.
Boss Julio Velazquez's side are only one place from the playoffs for the round of 16, though picking up as many points as possible now will be important considering they still have to face the likes of Marseille and AC Milan.
Number nine Reinaldo found the back of the net against NEC Nijmegen, and while he did not play on Sunday against Spartak Pleven, he is fit to play on Thursday.
Viktoria Plzen vs Levski Sofia form guide & betting tips
| Viktoria Plzen | vs | Levski Sofia |
|---|---|---|
LL |
Form | LD |
| 0 | Points | 1 |
| N/A | Form Table | N/A |
| 1 | Goals For | 1 |
| 5 | Goals Against | 2 |
LLWLW |
Form (All Comps) | DLWDW |
Whispers predicts: Viktoria Plzen 1-1 Levski Sofia
Thursday's match is sure to be tense, so while the bookmakers back a home win at 3/4 (1.75), there may be value backing a draw at 14/5 (3.8).
Both teams have scored in six of Viktoria Plzen's last eight home games, and that could make a bet of Both Teams to Score at 4/6 (1.67) sensible.
Given the hosts have been leading at the interval in two of their past three matches, it may be worthwhile to back Viktoria Plzen to Win at Half Time at 13/10 (2.3).
It could make sense to back Reinaldo to Score at 15/4 (4.75) given he is the only Levski Sofia player to have found the back of the net in the Europa League this season.
> Both Teams to Score at 4/6 (1.67) | Likelihood: High
> Viktoria Plzen to Win at Half Time at 13/10 (2.3) | Likelihood: Medium
> Reinaldo to Score at 15/4 (4.75) | Likelihood: Low