Sporting CP vs Viktoria Plzen
UEFA Europa League
Date: Thursday, 8 March 2018
Kick-Off at 20:05 UK
Venue: Estadio Jose Alvalade (Lisbon).
Sporting CP and Viktoria Plzen will battle each other in probably the least attractive R32 ties. The first leg is set to be played on Thursday evening at Estadio Jose Alvalade where the Lions will be massive favourites to grab the victory and make their job easier ahead of the rematch in Czech Republic.
Plzen have already made a huge success by reaching this stage of the competition. They have actually had a tremendous campaign so far in the season in both Czech Liga and Europa League. The team led by Pavel Vrba is nine points clear at the top of the Czech Liga standings with a game in hand on Slavia Prague in second place and we can say that Viktorka practically have the domestic title in the bag.
Moreover, Plzen went on to top their respective Europa League group ahead of the likes of FCSB, Lugano and Hapoel Be’er Sheva and they took the most out of somewhat easier draw for the last 32 round defeating Serbian champions Partizan 2-0 on aggregate.
Sporting joined the competition after coming third in their Champions League group behind the likes of Barcelona and Juventus, but above Olympiacos Piraeus. The Lions seem to have lost ground on table-toppers Porto in their domestic league where they trail by eight points after falling 2-1 at Estadio Do Dragao on Friday.
Jorge Jesus’ men will be highly motivated to keep their Europa League journey on track and we have to see them as massive favourites against the likes of Plzen here.
Sporting CP vs Viktoria Plzen: Head-to-head
This will be the first ever head to head encounter between these two sides.
Sporting CP vs Viktoria Plzen: Prediction
Whilst Bas Dost and Seydou Doumbia remain in doubt for Jesus’ side, we believe that midfielder Bruno Fernandes could make the difference for the hosts here.
Fernandes has bagged three goals in two legs with Astana and he is priced up at 2.90 to find the back of the net against Plzen here.
The first bet is Sporting Lisbon to win at the odds of 1.40.
Sporting CP vs Viktoria Plzen: Bet Tips
Sporting CP to win @ 1.40
Bruno Fernandes to score anytime @ 2.90
