Plzeň
- Plzen sit 3rd with 53 points from 30 games played so far this campaign, while Hradec are on 49 points in fifth place, making this a straight battle for European qualification.
- Plzen have won two, drawn two and lost one of their last five league games, most recently winning 1-0 at Baník Ostrava.
- Martin Hyský’s men have employed a flexible 4-2-3-1 system to maintain a European qualification push this season and have done so with a combination of rigid defence and swift, wide-based transitions.
- Patrik Hrošovský has again been the orchestrator of the game for Plzeň in midfield this term, dictating tempo and linking the game together in possession while Dávid Krcík has been the reliable rock at the back and main target at set-pieces.
Hradec Králové
David Horejš’s Hradec have been a tough team to crack for opponents this term, thanks to their ability to set up compact defensive units and make the most of their possession through sharp, vertical transitions.
Head-to-Head
Plzen have won 19 of their 26 all-time head-to-head games with Hradec Králové in the 1. Liga (D7, L0).
Plzeň
Daniel Vašulín has been Plzeň’s top scorer this year with nine 1. Liga goals, making him the main goal threat on the pitch on Sunday and the focal point of the home attack.
Hradec Králové
- Václav Pilař and Tomáš Petrášek provide a set-piece threat at either end of the pitch, but it’s the creativity of Adam Vlkanova in the number ten role that makes this team tick.
- Adam Vlkanova is a creative force, regularly contributing goals and assists, making him a real threat to Plzeň’s defence on Sunday.
- Vladimír Darida has been a top contributor this campaign, providing the side with drive and leadership from midfield.
Betting Insights
- Plzeň’s home odds of 1.55 look a bit short for this game, considering Hradec’s great current form and ability to play a rigid, effective game in which they are not overly bothered by possession.
- The odds for ‘No’ in the Both Teams to Score market are set at 2.0, but we feel ‘Over 2.5 Goals’ at 1.68 is a better option here, as we expect Plzeň to keep a clean sheet and their greater attacking quality to tell in the second half.
Prediction
Vladimír Darida has been a top contributor this campaign, providing the side with drive and leadership from midfield, but Viktoria have the greater quality and should edge this game.
