- Previous result: Red Star won 3-0 in the previous round, so they hold the bragging rights in the series.
- Home form: Plzen have won two, drawn two and lost two of their last six home matches in all competitions.
- Away form: Red Star have won one and lost one of their last two away matches in all competitions.
Plzen a plucky opponent
FC Viktoria Plzen have been a plucky adversary for FK Red Star Belgrade (Crvena Zvezda) in UEFA Europa League Qualification 2026, but Red Star will look to finish the job on Thursday. Since taking over on 15 October 2025, Martin Hysky has made Plzen a tough nut to crack, switching between 4-2-3-1 and more compact back-four shapes to suit the game state.
Plzen have played a similar number of games as Red Star since then, but appear to be the lesser side on current form, winning two, drawing four and losing four of their 10 matches. They have been involved in some lively games lately, averaging 2.33 goals scored and 2.00 conceded per home match across all competitions, with their most dangerous outlet in the box, Christophe Kabongo, having bagged three in their last five in all competitions.
Red Star have the edge
Form and key players
Red Star, who beat Plzen 3-0 in the last head-to-head, are a much sharper outfit with Aleksandar Katai having three of their 10 goals in the last five. The visitors are in better overall form with six wins from their last ten in all competitions, but a 0-2 loss to Hapoel Beer-Sheva precedes their 3-0 win over Plzen.
Coaching and tactics
Albert Riera was named coach on 14 August 2026 and has seemingly turned Crvena Zvezda into a more front-foot, pressing style of team, with a real desire to get at opponents and control the game. Plzen, on the other hand, are much more likely to play a compact, transition-heavy game, which should mean that the matchup will be won and lost by the team that controls the midfield and is best in transition.
Odds and betting recommendation
- Red Star should win based on the teams' respective recent form, but they are still given 2.82 for this away leg, while the draw is a huge 3.55.
- Plzen are 2.4 favorites, which suggests the bookmakers see this as a very tight European series that will likely be settled by away goals.
- Given Red Star's recent form, our recommendation is to go for Over 2.5 goals at 1.54 and Both Teams To Score – Yes at 1.46, which still fits the situation as Riera's side have scored 5 goals in 2 away matches across all competitions.
