Viktoria Plzen vs Sporting CP
UEFA Europa League
Date: Thursday, 15 March 2018
Kick-Off at 18:00 UK
Venue: Doosan Arena (Plzen).
Viktoria Plzen travelled to the Portuguese capital with high expectations knowing that out-of-form Sporting CP would miss their star man Bas Dost due to injury. Nonetheless, Czech Liga leaders have disappointed their fans falling 2-0 as Fredy Montero bagged a brace to make the difference between the two sides.
Pavel Vrba’s side will now have a very tough challenge to annul the two-goal deficit in the reverse fixture at Doosan Arena. The defeat has significantly affected Czech’s squad who have slipped up at the weekend playing only a 2-2 draw with Slovan Liberec at home in the Czech Liga action. They are still seven points clear at the top of the standings in the domestic league, but their continental adventure is about to come to an end on Thursday.
Sporting Lisbon practically gave up on the title contest in Primeira Liga where they are as many as eight points shy of runaway leaders Porto CP after losing the match at Dragao two weeks ago. They still have much to play for there, though, given that they can catch up with the second-placed Benfica in the battle for the Champions League qualifications next term.
Dost could make the return on the pitch right at Doosan Arena, but the head coach Jorge Jesus might actually well rest him for the important league clash with Rio Ave next weekend given that the Lions have a comfortable advantage from the first leg of the tie with Plzen.
Viktoria Plzen vs Sporting CP: Head-to-head
This will only be the second H2H encounter between Plzen and Sporting Lisbon.
As discussed above, the Lions have clinched a comfortable 2-0 victory in the first game at Estadio Jose Alvalade.
Viktoria Plzen vs Sporting CP: Prediction
Plzen will have to push hard from the very first minuet of the game in an attempt to annul the deficit from the first leg.
Given they’ve shown holes at the back in weekend’s draw in Czech Liga as well, we will back the high-scoring affair and goals at both ends as the main betting option here.
As for the outcome, the draw appears to be the most likable of three.
Viktoria Plzen vs Sporting CP: Bet Tips
BTTS @ 1.80
Draw @ 3.25
