Plzen Poised to Punish Hearts in Europa League Clash

Viktoria Plzen and Hearts lock horns in the first leg of their Europa League playoff tie on Thursday, with a place in the revamped group stage up for grabs. While Hearts face their first European challenge of the season, Plzen emerged victorious from the third qualifying round to secure this crucial two-legged affair.

Plzen's European Prowess vs. Hearts' Stuttering Start

Despite finishing third in the Scottish Premiership, Hearts ended the 2023-24 campaign with a dismal run of form, winning just one of their last six matches. Their start to the new season has been equally underwhelming, picking up only one point from their opening two league fixtures. Adding to the pressure on manager Steven Naismith, Hearts suffered a humbling defeat to Falkirk in the League Cup last week.

This match marks Hearts' return to the European stage after qualifying for the 2022-23 Europa Conference League, where they were eliminated in the group stage. Securing a spot in the expanded Europa League would guarantee at least eight matches between September and January, making this a vital tie for the Jambos, who desperately need to rediscover their form. However, a daunting task awaits them in Plzen, where they will be seeking just their sixth away win in UEFA competition since the turn of the century.

Viktoria Plzen's Doosan Arena is a notoriously difficult venue for visitors, and the Czech side has built a strong reputation in European football over recent years. While their Champions League campaign two years ago saw them lose all six group games, they bounced back in style by winning every match in their Conference League group last season. This success propelled them to the quarter-finals, where they narrowly lost to eventual finalists Fiorentina after extra time. They completed their domestic campaign by finishing third for the second consecutive season.

Plzen, six-time Czech champions, last won the title in 2022. Miroslav Koubek's side has hit the ground running this term, recording four wins and a draw, breathing down the neck of league leaders Sparta Prague. Their most recent victory, a 3-0 away win against Ceske Budejovice, extended their unbeaten start to the season, following their successful Europa League qualifying campaign against Kryvbas.

Viktoria Plzen secured their place in the playoff round after a 2-1 first-leg victory over the Ukrainian side, before sealing the deal with a 1-0 home win, thanks to striker Daniel Vasulin, who scored in both matches.

Team News and Potential Lineups

Ahead of their League Cup exit, Hearts made eight changes to the side that had lost to Dundee. Only Gerald Taylor, James Penrice, and Kenneth Vargas retained their starting spots. Steven Naismith is expected to make several changes for the trip to Plzen, including recalling Scotland striker Lawrence Shankland to the starting lineup. Frankie Kent remains doubtful due to a toe injury, while Beni Baningime and Calem Nieuwenhof are both ruled out.

Plzen's top scorer in qualifying, Daniel Vasulin, will likely partner Pavel Sulc, who has netted three times in seven games this season, leading the hosts' attack. Brazilian forward Ricardinho, who joined from Levski Sofia this summer, has yet to make a significant impact but could be deployed from the bench, alongside veteran striker Matej Vydra. Midfielder Lukas Cerv and centre-back Robin Hranac, both members of the Czech Republic's Euro 2024 squad, are expected to start against Hearts. However, Lukas Hejda, Christophe Kabongo, and Jan Sykora are all sidelined with long-term injuries.

Potential Starting Lineups:

Viktoria Plzen: Tvrdon; Dweh, Hranac, Jemelka; Kopic, Cerv, Kalvach, Sloncik, Havel; Sulc, Vasulin

Hearts: Clark; Taylor, Kingsley, Rowles, Penrice; Devlin, Grant; Dhanda, Shankland, McKay; Vargas

Prediction: Viktoria Plzen 3-0 Hearts

Hearts face an uphill battle in their first European outing of the season, as they come up against a Plzen side in excellent form and with a strong European pedigree. The Jambos have struggled for consistency so far, and they may already find themselves out of the tie before the second leg in Scotland next week.

For a detailed analysis of the most likely results, scorelines, and more for this match, please click here.