Plzen vs Ferencvaros prediction: EUROPE: Europa League – Play Offs betting tips on match 2025-02-19 20:00.
[p]Viktoria PlzeĆ have never previously managed to progress in a major European competition after losing the first leg so will need to create a bit of history on Thursday if they are to reach the UEFA Europa League (UEL) last 16. They do bring an impressive record of four wins out of five in the second leg of knockout ties at home, and with only one goal separating them and FerencvĂĄros last week (1-0), itâs still all to play for here.[/p]
[p]PlzeĆ have been free-scoring of late at the Doosan Arena, finding the net 12 times across their last three competitive home matches, including a 2-0 victory in their final league phase home game against Anderlecht. But the defeat in Hungary continued a worrying trend in European football which has seen Miroslav Koubekâs side lose three of their last four (W1), a far cry from their 15 previous such fixtures when they were beaten only once (W8, D6)![/p]
[p]Despite that form, it would be foolish to write off PlzeĆâs chances as FerencvĂĄros have lost their last two UEL away games by a 7-0 aggregate score. Their last 15 trips in this competition have yielded only two victories, a run which stretches back to the 2019/20 season, and manager Robbie Keane, who was appointed in early January, is yet to experience an away victory in charge (D1, L2).[/p]
[p]The Irishman could favour a defensive approach with the knowledge that a fourth clean sheet in this seasonâs UEL will see them advance. And considering they have failed to score in four of Keaneâs seven games in charge, maybe that approach gives FerencvĂĄros their best chance of meeting Lazio or Athletic Bilbao in the next round.[/p]
[p]Players to watch: Pavel Ć ulc got his tenth assist of the season at the weekend and has already set up goals at home in this UEL campaign against Real Sociedad and Manchester United. Ibrahim CissĂ© has been in the starting line-up for all three of FerencvĂĄrosâ clean sheets in the competition this season, while heâs also contributed to goals (G1, A1) against Nice and Malmö.[/p]
[p]Hot streak: FerencvĂĄros have failed to score before half-time in their last 12 UEL away matches (W3, L9).[/p]
[p][i]Written by Tom Penn[/i][/p]