Viktoria Plzen vs Man United: Prediction, Preview & Betting Tips

Expect Manchester United to be the favourites for this one despite their mixed form under Ruben Amorim. United are unbeaten in the Europa League this season, with three draws and two consecutive wins to place the Red Devils in a brilliant position to potentially move into the top eight.

Plzen have the same record as Manchester United in this competition. However, the standard of opposition is significantly weaker - with United facing the likes of Porto and Fenerbahce and Plzen facing the likes of Ludogrets and Dynamo Kyiv. Manchester United will most likely win this one, as Amorim's men have four wins in their previous seven – Viktoria Plzen 0-2 Man United

Manchester United travel to the Czech Republic to take on Viktoria Plzen in the Europa League looking to make it a third win in a row in the competition.

Date: 12/12/24

Kick-off time: 17:45

Venue: Doosan Arena

New Man United boss Ruben Amorim will be looking for his second win in charge following a victory in their last European game at home to Bodo/Glimt. He has not had as much success in the league, drawing against Ipswich and losing two in a row to Arsenal and Nottingham Forest. However, their recent victory against Bodo/Glimt moved them up to 12th in the Europa League table with nine points, just one adrift of the top eight. Another win could put them in a strong position to advance to the knockouts automatically.

They will be visiting a Viktoria Plzen side who have started well domestically, sitting second in the Czech First League, and they are also in a solid position in Europe. Plzen are in 13th, just a place below and level on points with their opponents United, and have the opportunity to overtake the Red Devils. Like United, they have won their last two European games following three draws to open the competition. Both sides remain unbeaten.

Goals could be a feature in this game with clean sheets a rarity for both sides in recent games. United have kept just one clean sheet in the last five, whilst Plzen have kept two in the last nine. The visitors have plenty of attacking options to cause a threat to the Plzen defence, including Rasmus Hojlund, who has scored three in Europe so far. The Danish striker also scored last time out at home to Forest. Amad Diallo and Christian Eriksen have scored a pair each in the competition.

Pavel Sulc leads the way for Plzen with eight league goals and 10 in all competitions. He is their main threat, supported by Prince Kwabena Adu, who has netted six overall. United have conceded eight goals in their last five, including at least two in three of the last four. At home, Plzen should get some opportunities to exploit a vulnerable backline.

This will be the first ever meeting between these two sides. United have played just six times against Czech opposition, winning twice and losing once. Plzen have only two meetings with English opposition, both losses to United’s rivals Man City.

Viktoria Plzen vs Man United will be available to watch on TNT Sports 2.

Viktoria Plzen

Matej Valenta is a doubt with a knee injury, whilst Jan Sykora’s status is also in question. Christopher Kabongo is also out and Rafiu Durosinmi is expected back within the next two weeks.

Man United

Luke Shaw will be out as he suffered a setback which will keep him sidelined for an extended period of time. Jonny Evans is also expected to be out, but United could be given a boost with the return of Victor Lindelof.

Viktoria Plzen:

In their last five games, Viktoria Plzen have won four and drawn one. It has been a strong stretch for the Czech side, as they are unbeaten in this period. The first game of this run was a narrow 1-0 win away at Hradec Kralove. It was an even affair, but a late winner from Sampson Dweh secured three points.

A Europa League tie at Dynamo Kyiv followed, in which they were 2-1 winners on the road. Goals from Matej Vydra and Pavel Sulc put them in front before a stoppage time consolation. They returned to league action at home to Jablonec, winning 3-2. They were 2-0 down at half-time, but after the visitors went down to 10 men the hosts took advantage. Three goals in the final 20 minutes from Sulc, Vydra and Lukas Kalvach completed the turnaround.

Their only dropped points of this stretch came in a 1-1 draw at home to Teplice. Once again their opponents had a man sent off, and they took the lead after. However, a 94th minute strike from Yehor Tsykalo saw the points shared. Their most recent game was an away game at Karvina. They won 2-1, with a brace from Sulc overturning an early deficit.

Man United:

In their last five games, Man United have won two, lost two and drawn one. It has been a mixed stretch for United as they begin life under new manager Ruben Amorim. The Portuguese’s first game came in charge at the start of this run as they drew 1-1 at Ipswich. Marcus Rashford gave them a very early lead but a stunner from Omari Hutchinson ensured the points were shared.

Attention shifted to Europa League action as they hosted Bodo/Glimt, which they won 3-2. Alejandro Garnacho gave his side an immediate lead, though the Norwegian side got back on level terms shortly after. The visitors then went ahead, before a Rasmus Hojlund double prevented embarrassment.

A dominant 4-0 win over Everton followed, with braces from both Rashford and Joshua Zirkzee securing an easy three points. Arsenal were their next opponents, but they lost 2-0 with goals from Jurrien Timber and William Saliba condemning them to defeat. Last time out they faced Nottingham Forest at home. They lost once more as they were defeated 3-2. They fell behind twice before Forest extended their lead to 3-1. Bruno Fernandes pulled one back but they were unable to complete a comeback.

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