- Plzen have won two, tied two and lost two of their last six home matches in all competitions.
- Red Star have won three of their last five, losing the other two, and scored ten goals.
- Timi Elsnik has registered three assists in Red Star's last five games.
Plzen to push Red Star hard
A tactical matchup is on the cards at Doosan Arena on Thursday when FC Viktoria Plzen seek to overturn the 3-0 scoreboard against FK Red Star Belgrade of their UEFA Europa League Qualification 2026 series, and this preview suggests a tight second leg.
Albert Riera has made Crvena Zvezda more proactive since taking over on 14 August 2026, pressing high up the field and trying to control the game on the front foot. Red Star scored three and conceded none against Plzen in a superb performance and Mirko Ivanic's brace in that game has already given the striker a big return on his investment in big European games (2 goals in 1 UEFA Europa League Qualification 2026 appearance).
But Martin Hysky has kept Plzen flexible since taking over on 15 October 2025, switching between 4-2-3-1 and compact back four structures. His side can be extremely compact and happy to sit back, looking for chances to spring fast vertical attacks when they win the ball back.
It is a chess match that could be decided by whoever controls the midfield or who is best on the transitions, as Plzen will try to counter and Red Star will look to pin their hosts back and control the ball.
Game could be lively
The two clubs have different attacking strengths, but Plzen's recent output of nine goals in five games across all competitions, with Christophe Kabongo scoring three of them, has been most impressive. In contrast, Red Star have scored five goals in two away games across all competitions, so they will arrive in Czechia with a punch.
Our FC Viktoria Plzen vs FK Red Star Belgrade (Crvena Zvezda) prediction is that Red Star are the likelier winner on the night based on recent evidence, but the odds make this a very close tie in Europe with goals on the menu. Over 2.5 goals at 1.54 points to a lively contest, while Both Teams To Score - Yes at 1.46 also appeals to the same attacking set-up, making these betting tips lean toward goals.
