Viktoria Plzen vs Lazio Prediction

Czech side Viktoria Plzen enter their two-legged knockout tie against Lazio on Thursday as considerable underdogs, as the Europa League round of 16 gets under way.

Plzen emerged from the league phase as one of the surprise competitors, finishing comfortably clear of the elimination spots in 16th, and beating Anderlecht and Real Sociedad along the way. They sealed their spot in the knockouts with a win against Ferencvaros in the play-off round.

However, Lazio have been on a different level in the competition; They finished top of the league phase, losing just once, and their 17 goals scored is second only to the now eliminated Galatasaray. They pose a formidable adversary to any side unlucky enough to face them, and Plzen will have to pull off a monumental shock to progress here.

As the round of 16 tie edges closer, here is everything you need to know about both sides ahead of kick-off.

Key Statistics

• Both sides have lost just once in their last five games, with Plzen winning the other four, while Lazio have managed two draws to pair with their two victories.
• Plzen have netted 12 times in their last five games, with Lazio trailing on nine.
• Lazio sit fifth in the Serie A on 50 points, two behind fourth placed Juventus, while Plzen occupy second in the 1. Liga, though they trail leaders Slavia Prague by 13 points.
• This will be the first ever meeting between the two sides.

Viktoria Plzen Preview

Viktoria Plzen Predicted Lineup (3-4-1-2): Martin Jedlicka (GK); Sampson Dweh, Jan Paluska, Vaclav Jemelka; Lukas Cerv, Cadu, Lukas Kalvach, Amar Memic; Pavel Sulc; Matej Vydra, Rafiu Durosinmi.

Being labelled the underdogs ahead of this fixture will actually play into the hands of Plzen. The description takes all the pressure off them and heaps it onto their opposition, and allows them to prepare without the weight of any expectation.

Not to mention they were considered underdogs for virtually the entire league phase, and yet they comfortably finished in the play-off spots, and then even more comfortably eased past Ferencvaros to get here.

With playmaker Pavel Sulc with nine goals and six assists to his name this season and in fine form, combined with experienced Matej Vydra up top, Plzen’s front line has all the ability to cause problems. I’m not saying they will beat Lazio, but they could make this tie a lot tighter than everything on paper suggests.

Lazio Preview

Lazio Predicted Lineup (4-2-3-1): Ivan Provedel (GK); Nuno Tavares, Mario Gila, Patric, Manuel Lazzari; Nicolo Rovella, Matteo Guendouzi; Mattia Zacagni, Boulaye Dia, Pedro; Loum Tchaouna.

After notching a dramatic late win over AC Milan last time out, in which Pedro netted a winning penalty eight minutes into overtime, Lazio will be in high spirits ahead of a game that the majority of football followers would expect them to win.

High spirits can bring electric, free-flowing, attacking football that can see sides win games at a canter, but it can also bring complacency and cockiness, and it has been the downfall of many a pre-match favourite.

Lazio will need to keep their wits about them against a dangerous Plzen side, and they will not be helped by the absences of defenders Samuel Gigot and Adam Marusic, both of whom had to leave the field injured against AC Milan. Marco Baroni has a very talented side at his disposal, and if he manages to keep their feet on the ground, Lazio should ease into the quarter finals.

Viktoria Plzen vs Lazio Head to Head

The two sides have never met in a competitive setting before, making this two-legged tie a bragging right fixture. Whoever comes through this will have a winning head to head over the other.

Viktoria Plzen vs Lazio Betting Tip

While Lazio are the stronger side on paper, Plzen are the home side in the first leg, and they have surprised a number of more illustrious opponents already this season. I don’t think they have enough to pick up a victory, but are more than capable of going into the second leg level, so we are predicting a draw here.

Viktoria Plzen vs Lazio Final Prediction

Viktoria Plzen 1-1 Lazio

Plzen will play with confidence in this first leg, as they will want to put on a show for their home fans. Lazio will score, but the Czech side will come back and draw level late on to set up a mouth-wateringly close second leg in Italy.