Liam Duckstein
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Viktoria Plzen face a steep uphill task at Doosan Arena. They lost the first leg 0-3 to Crvena Zvezda just days ago, and that result leaves Martin Hysky’s side needing a historic turnaround to reach the Europa League group stage. Crvena Zvezda arrive in Pilsen with a commanding lead and a squad that has been in far better form across the last month. The aggregate scoreline shapes everything about how this second leg will be played.
Two players stand out as potential difference-makers. Christopher Kabongo has been Plzen’s most productive attacker in recent weeks, scoring three goals across his last six appearances, and will need to lead from the front if any comeback is to be attempted. For Crvena Zvezda, Mirko Ivanić is the man to watch, having contributed four goals and one assist in his last six matches, giving Albert Riera’s side a genuine creative and goal-scoring threat from midfield.
A notable stat from Crvena Zvezda’s recent run: they fired 64 total shots across their last five matches while committing only 18 fouls, a combination that points to a team that attacks with intensity but keeps disciplinary risk low. Plzen, by contrast, committed 54 fouls in the same sample, which created pressure on their own defensive shape.
| 🏆 Tournament: | UEFA Europa League 2026/27 – Playoffs |
| 🏟 Venue: | Doosan Arena, Pilsen |
| 🗓️ Date: | 27.08.2026 |
| ⏰ Time: | 19:00 CEST |
Viktoria Plzen vs Crvena Zvezda prediction
The aggregate situation makes this match straightforward in one sense: Plzen must attack, and Crvena Zvezda can afford to absorb pressure and hit on the counter. That dynamic favors the Serbian side. Their last five matches produced 12 goals, and their passing numbers, while lower in volume than Plzen’s, reflect a direct, efficient style that punishes teams who overcommit forward.
Plzen’s form over the last 30 days reads one win, two losses, and two draws, a 20% win rate that does not inspire confidence for a team chasing a three-goal deficit. Crvena Zvezda, by contrast, won five of their last seven matches in the same period at a 71% win rate. The gap in momentum is real.
Plzen’s foul count is high at 54 across five games, and they have accumulated 14 yellow cards. That level of indiscipline against a sharp counter-attacking team like Crvena Zvezda is a liability. The visitors carry a red card in their recent record too, but their overall discipline is better managed.
We predict Crvena Zvezda to score at least once in this match. Their away form and the structural pressure Plzen must apply to chase the tie creates exactly the space Red Star’s forwards exploit. The most likely outcome is a Crvena Zvezda win or a low-scoring draw that sends them through on aggregate.
| 🔥Hot Tip: | Crvena Zvezda to score in both halves |
| ⚽Total Goals: | Over 2.5 |
| 💥Both Teams To Score: | Yes |
| 🎯Total Corners: | Over 8.5 |
Team Analysis
Viktoria Plzen have had a mixed recent run that makes their Europa League situation harder to assess with optimism. Their last five competitive outings brought a heavy 1-3 home loss to Slovan Liberec, a 1-1 draw with Brno, a wild 5-5 draw against Teplice, a narrow 3-2 win over Zlin, and then the 0-3 defeat to Crvena Zvezda in the first leg. That sequence of results, two wins, two draws, and one loss in the league alongside the Europa League defeat, shows a team that is inconsistent and vulnerable at the back. Patrik Hrošovský has chipped in with goals and assists and remains one of their more reliable contributors in midfield, but the defensive numbers tell a concerning story. Plzen conceded eight goals across those five matches.
Crvena Zvezda’s recent schedule has been busy and productive. They beat Cukaricki 4-0 in their most recent domestic outing, won the first leg against Plzen 3-0, and had a pair of Europa League qualifying matches against Hapoel Beer Sheva sandwiched around a 2-0 win over Novi Pazar. The two losses to Hapoel Beer Sheva in that run are worth noting, though those came in a different competition context. Their domestic form is strong. Mirko Ivanić and Aleksandar Katai have been the standout performers, combining for seven goals and three assists across six matches. The squad depth Albert Riera can call on gives him flexibility that Plzen’s bench does not quite match.
Most recent Head-to-Head Matches
| Statistic | Viktoria Plzen | Crvena Zvezda |
|---|---|---|
| Goals | 0 | 3 |
🚨Check out our dedicated Viktoria Plzen vs Crvena Zvezda stats page for more info.
Viktoria Plzen. Source: Official Facebook
Pre-game odds and win probability: Viktoria Plzen the favourite
- Moneyline Viktoria Plzen 2.10 | Crvena Zvezda 3.15
- Draw 3.55
- Over/Under Over 2.5 | Under 2.5
- BTTS (both teams to score) Yes | No
The bookmakers make Plzen favourites on the night at around 2.10, which reflects home advantage and the fact that Plzen must attack. To be honest, those odds feel generous on Plzen given the 3-0 aggregate deficit and their inconsistent form. Crvena Zvezda at roughly 3.10 to 3.18 across major bookmakers represents the better value. A draw on the night at 3.55 also has appeal if you expect Plzen to push forward but Red Star to hold firm without needing to overextend. The average bookmaker probability of 44% for Plzen winning on the night does not account for how little a single-match win actually changes for the Czech side at this stage.
Possible Starting Lineups
Viktoria Plzen possible starting eleven
- GK: Florian Wiegele
- DF: Sampson Dweh, Karel Spáčil, Dávid Krčík, Merchas Doski
- MF: Lukáš Červ, Patrik Hrošovský, Cheick Souare, Alexandr Sojka
- FW: Christopher Kabongo, Prince Kwabena Adu
Plzen are likely to line up in their preferred 4-2-3-1, though the desperate aggregate situation may push Hysky toward a more attacking 4-2-2-2 shape. Florian Wiegele starts in goal, having played every minute across the recent run. The back four picks itself, with Sampson Dweh’s attacking contributions from the right side a key outlet. Patrik Hrošovský anchors the midfield and carries the most creative output from deep. Christopher Kabongo, the team’s top scorer in this sample with three goals, leads the attack. Prince Kwabena Adu provides pace and directness alongside him. Amar Memić’s link-up play from a wide or second-striker role could also see him deployed if Hysky wants more movement in behind.
Crvena Zvezda possible starting eleven
- GK: Matheus
- DF: Seol Young-woo, Strahinja Erakovic, Franklin Tebo Uchenna, Derrick Luckassen
- MF: Timi Elsnik, Rade Krunić, Muhammed Cham Saracevic, Mirko Ivanić
- FW: Aleksandar Katai, Jay Enem
Albert Riera will likely set up in the same 4-2-3-1 that has served them well. Matheus takes the gloves after appearing in six of the last six matches. The defensive unit is solid, with Seol Young-woo providing discipline on the right. Timi Elsnik’s four assists in recent games make him a creative hub from central midfield, and Mirko Ivanić operating in the number ten role is the player Plzen will struggle most to contain. Aleksandar Katai’s ten shots across six matches show he is willing to shoot and carry the ball, and his three goals in this run make him a constant threat. Riera may start conservatively and look to exploit transitions, with Loizos Loizou an option off the bench to add fresh attacking energy.
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Crvena Zvezda. Source: Official Facebook
TipsGG Match Prediction
Plzen enter this second leg needing to score three goals without reply to force extra time, and four to win outright on aggregate. Their recent defensive record, eight goals conceded in five matches, makes a clean sheet at the other end almost impossible to bank on. Crvena Zvezda’s direct, efficient attack has produced 12 goals in five matches, and their low foul count means they are unlikely to get disrupted by set pieces or lose shape through cards.
We predict Crvena Zvezda to win this match on the night. Plzen will create chances because they have to, but Red Star’s counter-attacking quality and their strong recent form point clearly to the Serbian side advancing on aggregate. A score of 1-2 or 0-2 on the night feels the most probable outcome. Both teams to score is a reasonable call given Plzen’s attacking need, but Crvena Zvezda to win the match is our firm selection.
