Hearts vs FK Viktoria Plzen Predictions

• Hearts have failed to score more than one goal in any of their five competitive matches this season
• Plzen have not conceded more than once in 12 of their last 13 away games
• Plzen have kept six clean sheets in eight competitive matches this term

Jambos have a big job on their hands

Hearts have a bigger job on their hands than it may seem as they attempt to overturn a 1-0 first-leg deficit against Viktoria Plzen in the Europa League play-off round on Thursday. The Jambos were shut out by the Czech club’s crack defence last week and may struggle to grab the goal they need to stay alive, let alone the two they need to go through.

Plzen have shipped only twice in eight competitive matches this season and should be fresher than their Scottish counterparts after their domestic league postponed their weekend fixture.

Meanwhile, Hearts lost 3-1 at Motherwell to drop into the bottom three of the early-season Premiership standings. A lack of consistency in team selection under head coach Steben Naismith or even any clear tactical style has set alarm bells ringing around Tynecastle and star striker Lawrence Shankland looks exhausted up top.

Hranac can shackle Shankland

The Scotland international, who bagged 31 goals in all competitions last season, has gone five games without scoring – which is his longest drought since last September.

Shankland got little joy out of Plzen central defender Robin Hranac, a target for Bundesliga outfit Hoffenheim, last week and if the Czech international comes out on top again then the hosts’ chances of scoring at all look slim.

Back the visitors to concede fewer than two goals in this tie as Plzen have not shipped more than once in any of the 19 European matches Hranac has featured in since he graduated from their youth set-up.