- Series status: Sigma lead the series 3 - 1 after a first-leg victory in Karvina.
- Key moments: Tadeáš Stoppen’s key saves helped keep Karvina two goals behind; they must push for goals in the return leg.
- Betting odds: The bookmakers have Sigma as 1.57 favorites to win the return game, but Karvina are big long shots at 5.03.
Sigma in control
Season context
SK Sigma Olomouc took a commanding 3-1 advantage over MFK Karvina in last weekend’s first-leg of the 7-10 placement play-off to land the upper hand of the series. The Olomouc club finished seventh in the regular season with 43 points from 30 matches, while Karvina were ninth with 39 points, so Sigma’s edge is fully justified over the full campaign.
Sigma tactics
Pavel Hapal, the experienced Czech coach who has been in interim charge since April, has been playing a well-disciplined, organised back three or 4-2-3-1 system with some attacking flair. Sigma can play in a more direct, vertical way, but they have the width to mix up the attack and plenty of forward power.
Karvina outlook
Karvina, who finished two places and four points worse off than Sigma, will come to Andrův stadion on Saturday with a high-energy, pressing game that is very much their own. Marek Jarolim has done a remarkable job getting Karvina to the domestic cup final.
Back both teams to score
They will take a very different selection to face the Olomouc-based club in this return leg, however, after being turned over in their own stadium by a young and fresh Sigma side last week. Youngster Radek Palán made his debut in the first-leg and young keeper Tadeáš Stoppen was in good form - making crucial saves to keep Sigma ahead.
- Sigma will try to maintain control of the game and the aggregate score, which should be enough to secure their top-seven finish and MOL Cup place in the coming season.
- Karvina, who played the MOL Cup final just days before this return game, will have to gamble and try to score the goals they need, but may be caught on the counter-attack.
- A contrast of styles is almost certain to create an open game, especially with Karvina playing with a two-goal deficit to make up and Sigma playing at home with an aggregate cushion.
- ‘Both teams to score - Yes’ is the bet here, which is listed at 1.63.
