Viktoria Plzen vs Astra Predictions & Betting Tips, Match Previews

Viktoria Plzen have really upped their game since they were knocked out of the Champions League. Ludogorets eliminated them 4-2 in the playoffs, but since then they haven’t been beaten. They have won six of their nine games in all competitions since then.

One of their failures to win was at home to Serie A giants Roma in the first Europa League group game, which is a respectable result in itself. They followed this with a goalless draw at Austria Vienna to make for a fairly drab start to life in Europa League. Fortunately for them their domestic season is going much better, and their European season could improve on Thursday.

Unlike a lot of teams, Viktoria Plzen haven’t been relying heavily on any one player so far this season. Lukas Hejda, Michal Krmencik, and Marek Bakos each have three goals apiece in all competitions, with Bakos being the only one with a Europa League goal to his name. All of Krmencik’s goals have come on home turf though, so he’s the one to watch on Thursday. Odds of 20/21 for Krmencik to score anytime might seem short, but he will be the main threat for the hosts and they should be confident of bagging a goal.

The Czech striker could well be in for a good evening as well. Astra are in terrible form at the moment and have been awful at the back in Europe this season. They knocked West Ham out of the competition at the playoff round, but their two group games have seen them lose 3-2 at home to Austria Vienna and lose 4-0 at Roma.

It’s not just in Europe they’re struggling though. They have only won three of their last 12 outings in all competitions and have lost five of their last eight. They have shipped 18 goals in their last 11 outings, which is awful considering the quality of their opposition in general. Away from home it gets even worse, with five defeats and 14 goals conceded in their last seven outings.

Viktoria Plzen may not have been at their best so far in Europe, but they are in good form overall and are facing a side in turmoil. I’m expecting this to be a high scoring game with the hosts getting the majority of those goals, so I’m backing a Viktoria Plzen Win and Over 2.5 Goals at 11/10 alongside a 3-1 correct score prediction at 11/1.