Plzen vs FC Ballkani prediction: EUROPE: Europa Conference League – Group Stage betting tips on match 2023-09-20 19:00.
Viktoria PlzeÅ had to come through three qualifying rounds to make it to their debut UEFA Europa Conference League (UECL) group stage, one that starts against Ballkani in Group C. The hosts are beginning their ninth European group campaign, having only qualified for the knockouts just twice in the previous eight attempts, with the last being in the 2017/18 Europa League. They couldnāt have asked for better preparation to build upon that record this time around, as they remain unbeaten across 12 competitive games, including ten consecutive wins.
That sequence includes five straight victories in this competition, but the hosts didnāt have the same impact in last seasonās Champions League, where PlzeÅ lost all six group games conceding 24 goals. Bidding to lay that record to rest in his first UEFA group stage as a manager, 72-year-old head coach Miroslav Koubek told reporters the side is high on āself-confidenceā ahead of āanother extremely demanding programā.
Ballkani have already created history by becoming the first Kosovan club to participate in a UEFA group when they did so in this competition. They finished bottom of their group despite registering a memorable first-ever UEFA competition proper win for a Kosovan club (4-3 vs Sivasspor). This seasonās UECL journey saw the visitors pass through three qualifying rounds (W5, L1), and a run of eight wins across their last ten competitive matches (D1, L1) has given wings to hopes of extending their European season into the knockouts.
But the visitors do not have happy memories of playing Czech clubs, having lost both matches to Slavia Prague last season. Regardless of the result, a quick start canāt be ruled out as six of Ballkaniās last seven away UECL matches have seen the match opener arrive on or before the half-hour mark.
Players to watch: PlzeÅ will hope Rafiu Durosinmi can continue his red-hot form after he contributed five goals (G4, A1) across his last three matches, including one in their last UECL outing. One visiting player hoping for an impact is Nazmi Gripshi with the midfielder contributing directly to four goals (G3, A1) across Ballkaniās last six UECL matches.
Hot stat: PlzeÅ have scored first in eight of their last 12 UECL matches.