Plzen vs Union SG – News and Probable Lineups

Viktoria Plzen is set to kick off their Europa League journey on Thursday, facing Union SG at Doosan Arena.

After successfully overcoming a Europa League playoff battle with Red Star Belgrade in August, the hosts will now take on Union SG, who earned their place in UEFA’s secondary tournament after being eliminated in the last playoff stage of the Champions League qualifiers last month.

Match overview

Viktoria Plzen executed a stunning comeback to qualify for the group stage of the Europa League, reversing Red Star’s 3-0 lead from the first match to triumph 5-1 in the second leg on August 27.

This will mark the club’s third participation in the competition over three years, with the team reaching the round of 16 in 2024-25, but failing to progress to the knockout stages in 2025-26 after a playoff loss to Panathinaikos.

Head coach Radoslav Kovac has managed his side through 10 matches across all competitions this season, including eight in their domestic league, achieving just three victories while experiencing three defeats.

The hosts have recorded two clean sheets in their last three matches and have also scored 10 goals in their last five encounters.

Plzen’s home form has been inconsistent, with only two wins from their six games at Doosan Arena this season, including two losses.

Union SG could not secure the Belgian Pro League title in 2025-26, finishing second in their Championship playoff group, which allowed them a spot in the Champions League playoff.

Unfortunately, David Hubert’s team was eliminated by Bodo/Glimt with a 6-5 aggregate score in that playoff last August. Nonetheless, they have won four of their last seven Europa League games, losing only twice in that span.

The current season has started positively for the club, as they sit top of the Belgian first tier after six match weeks, having accumulated 16 points out of a possible 18.

Since their exit from the Champions League qualifiers, the visitors have remained unbeaten in five matches, winning all four of their latest fixtures.

Union has also claimed victory in four out of their five away games this term, managing to score at least three goals in three of those matches, though they have conceded seven times during this run.

Team News

Viktoria Plzen may opt for a three-man defense that includes center-backs Filip Prebsl, Sampson Dweh, and Tobias Paliscak.

A three-man midfield with Lukas Cerv leading Patrik Hrosoxy and Cheick Souare could also be on the cards.

In attack, supporters might witness a pairing of Denis Visinsky and Prince Kwabena Adu, both of whom found the net against Red Star in the second leg.

For Union, Kevin Mac Allister’s ligament injury is likely to see Nikki Havenaar appear in the defense alongside Massire Sylla and Ondrej Kricfalusi, with Relebohile Mofokeng and Mateo Biondic spearheading the visitors’ attack.

Midfielder Kamiel van de Perre is set to miss Thursday’s fixture due to suspension, which means that the most probable partner for Adem Zorgane will be Rob Schoofs.

Viktoria Plzen probable starting XI:

Wiegele; Prebsl, Dweh, Paliscak; Memic, Cerv, Hrosoxy, Souare, Doski; Visinsky, Adu

Union SG probable starting XI:

Coffee; Havenaar, Sylla, Kricfalusi; Patris, Schoofs, Zorgane, Smith; Geneli; Mofokeng, Biondic

The visitors have not shown particularly strong defensive capabilities, but their performance in attack has been commendable.

Viktoria Plzen’s offense is expected to create opportunities, yet Union’s prowess in the attacking phase could lead them to secure a draw.