Viktoria Plzen host Manchester United in the league phase of 2024-25 UEFA Europa League.
Locked on nine points apiece, victory could see Viktoria Plzen or Man Utd climb into the top eight with a win, albeit depending on results elsewhere.
Team News
Svetozar Markovic is a doubt for Viktoria Plzen after he suffered an unspecified injury during their domestic away win at Karvina.
Jan Sykora, Christophe Kabongo and Rafiu Durosinmi (all unspecified) are ruled out, whilst Cory Sene is ineligible for selection.
Man Utd have no fresh injury concerns to report following their Premier League defeat at home to Nottingham Forest.
Jonny Evans (knock) and Victor Lindelöf (groin) could return but Luke Shaw (unspecified) remains absent.
When is Kick-Off?
Viktoria Plzen host Man Utd at Doosan Arena on Thursday 12 December at 6:45pm CET (5:45pm UK Time), live on TNT Sports 2 in the UK.
Stat Attack
- This is Viktoria Plzen’s first competitive meeting against Man Utd
- Man Utd are visiting Doosan Arena for the first time against Viktoria Plzen in a competitive fixture.
- Viktoria Plzen lost each of their two previous meetings against English opposition in all UEFA competitions, albeit against Man City in 2013-14 Champions League’s Group Stage.
- Viktoria Plzen have kept just one clean sheet in their five league phase fixtures.
- Three of Man Utd’s four away goals in the league phase were scored in the first half.
Prediction
For all of their attacking quality in this league phase, Viktoria Plzen are certainly vulnerable defensively but they should feel confident coming into this game following 2-1 wins in last month’s fixtures.
Man Utd though are in a similar position with just one more goal but have conceded seven goals like Plzen, who will of seen Utd’s defensive struggles against Forest from set pieces and crosses so more resilience is needed at the back.
Either way, I can see goals coming although a draw wouldn’t be too surprising here.
Prediction: Viktoria Plzen 1-1 Man Utd
Result: Viktoria Plzen 1-2 Man Utd