Crvena Zvezda vs Viktoria Plzen Prediction 20 August 2026
๐ Will the Serbian side live up to their status as favourites? This Thursday, Belgrade's Rajko Mitiฤ arena will host a Europa League qualifying match between Crvena Zvezda and Viktoria Plzeล. While the hosts suffered defeat in the previous Champions League qualifying round, the visitors are only just beginning their European campaign. It cannot be said that either team is in optimal physical condition, which only adds to the intrigue of this match.
Head-to-Head
๐ The teams have not previously met each other.
Head-to-head statistics Crvena Zvezda - Viktoria Plzen
Red Star Team Overview
Failing to reach the Champions League group stage can safely be considered an unsatisfactory result for the Serbian giants. A sensational defeat in the two-legged tie against Hapoel Beer-Sheva (0:1, 0:2) led to a change in the dugout - Dejan Stankoviฤ was dismissed.
Albert Riera was brought in as his replacement - the 44-year-old Spaniard took charge of German side Eintracht in the second half of last season. The newly appointed Crvena Zvezda manager is a proponent of attacking football - a 4-2-3-1 formation, which transforms into a 4-1-4-1, promotes width on the flanks and a quick transition from defence to attack.
Match Results: Red Star
Viktoria Plzen Team Overview
The bronze medallists from the previous Czech First League season are having a torrid start to the new campaign. Viktoria Plzeล have managed just one win in four league rounds, which explains their current position in the bottom half of the table.
A complete breakdown at the back is considered the primary reason for their regular dropped points and inability to see things through to a logical conclusion. Viktoria have conceded in each of their last four matches, and seven goals across the last two games alone. Head coach Martin Haskรฝ looks to set the tempo and pushes his players to emphasise ball control.
Match Results: Viktoria Plzen
โฝ๏ธ Goals prediction
The teams are just as unconvincing in defence as they are effective in attack. This is reflected in the average number of goals scored at the start of the current season: Crvena Zvezda - 2.6, Viktoria Plzeล - 2.5. The following statistical trend is worth noting - in 8 of the last 9 matches involving the Czech side, both teams scored. We'll go with both teams to score (yes) at 1.72*.
๐ฉ Corners prediction
In their matches, Crvena Zvezda typically assert territorial dominance and outperform their opponents in corners won: 6.9 against 2.1. Notably, in 8 of their previous 10 matches the Serbian side took no fewer than five corners. Taking these statistical points into account, we'll go with Crvena Zvezda total corners over 4.5 at odds of 1.38*.
๐จ Yellow cards prediction
At the start of the season, neither side stands out for excessive roughness in their play. It's enough to look at the average number of bookings each team has received: Crvena Zvezda - 2.5, Viktoria Plzeล - 1.5. In 8 of the last 10 matches involving the Czech side, no more than four yellow cards were shown. A similar trend applies to 6 of the previous 8 matches involving the Serbian side. The obvious choice is total yellow cards under 4.5.
*Odds are indicative and may vary across different bookmakers.
โญ๏ธ Editor's Pick
It is quite difficult to predict how this match will unfold. Both sides are having problems at the back. On the other hand, statistical trends confirm a high attacking potential, which increases the chance of both teams finding the net. We predict a final score of 2:1. The key bet is both teams to score (yes).
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Betting Tips: Red Star - Viktoria Plzen
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