Viktoria Plzen vs Sporting – Europea League – Preview

Viktoria Plzen vs Sporting – Thursday, March 14, 18:00 GMT/19:00 CET – Štruncovy Sady Stadion – Plzen, Czech Republic

Viktoria Plzen vs Sporting will take place at the Štruncovy Sady Stadion in Plzen. (Photo by Michal Cizek/EuroFootball/Getty Images)

Thanks to two goals by Fredy Montero Sporting all but have booked their ticket to the quarterfinals of the UEFA Europa League. Coached by Jorge Jesus Sporting could even be among the dark horses to go all the way in this competition.

Currently, behind Porto and Benfica in the league standings, Sporting might very well focus on this competition to present some silverware to their fans at the end of the season. It would be the club’s second international trophy after winning the Cup Winners’ Cup in 1964.

For Viktoria Plzen, there is at most a bit of rest hope ahead of this match. But given that Plzen are sitting well in the league standings – they are seven points clear at the table – the Czech club may focus on the league rather than the Europa League.

With this in mind, Sporting will more than likely head to a comfortable victory on Thursday night at the Štruncovy Sady Stadion in Plzen.

Viktoria Plzen vs Sporting – Player to look out for:

Michael Krmencik #15 – Viktoria Plzen

Michael Krmencik is Viktoria Plzen’s top forward. The 24-year-old has scored 11 goals and six assists in 16 HET Liga games this season and added four goals and two assists in six Europa League matches. Krmencik is a tall and prolific forward, who has also seen significant success playing for the Czech national team – scoring six goals in ten games.

Michael Krmencik has been a goal-scoring machine for Viktoria Plzen this season. (MICHAL CIZEK/AFP/Getty Images)

Gelson Martins #77 – Sporting

Gelson Martins could become the latest talent to move from Portugal to a big club this summer. Linked to clubs like Bayern München, where he is on the list to replace Arjen Robben in the medium-term, Gelson Martins is now worth €30 million, but will likely command a much bigger transfer fee. Lightning fast the winger has already scored six goals and six assists in 22 games this season.

Gelson Martins has excellent technical abilities. (PATRICIA DE MELO MOREIRA/AFP/Getty Images)

Viktoria Plzen vs Sporting – Match Stats

• Sporting’s 2-0 victory over Plzen was the first time the two teams ever met.
• It is almost 40 years since Sporting last faced Czech opposition, their one and only tie bringing 1-0 defeats in both legs of the 1978/79 European Cup Winners’ Cup first round against Baník Ostrava.
• Plzen, led by current boss Pavel Vrba, recorded a home win (3-1) and an away draw (1-1) against Académica Coimbra in the 2012/13 UEFA Europa League group stage – their only previous matches against Portuguese opponents.
• Plzen have won all five home games in this season’s UEFA Europa League to make it six in a row in this competition, scoring 17 goals over that stretch.
• Plzeň’s 2-0 victory at Hapoel Beer-Sheva on matchday six of the group stage is their only win in their last 15 European away fixtures (D6 L7).

Futbolgrad Network Prediction: Viktoria Plzen vs Sporting – 1-1

Viktoria Plzen vs Sporting – Possible Lineups

Viktoria Plzen

Formation: 4-2-3-1

Hruska – Reznik, Hejda, Hubnik, Limbersky – Horava, Hrosovsky – Kopic, Kolar, Zeman – Krmencik

Manager: Pavel Vrba

Sporting

Formation: 4-2-3-1

Patricio – Coentrão, Mathieu, Coates, Ristovski – Carvalho, Battaglia – Acuna, Ruiz Gelson Martins – Montero

Manager: Jorge Jesus

Manuel Veth is the owner and Editor in Chief of the Futbolgrad Network. He also works as a freelance journalist and among others works for the Bundesliga and Pro Soccer USA. He holds a Doctorate of Philosophy in History from King’s College London, and his thesis is titled: “Selling the People’s Game: Football’s transition from Communism to Capitalism in the Soviet Union and its Successor States,” which will be available in print soon. Originally from Munich, Manuel has lived in Amsterdam, Kyiv, Moscow, Tbilisi, London, and currently is located in Victoria BC, Canada.  Follow Manuel on Twitter @ManuelVeth. Or contact him via email: manuelveth@futbolgrad.com.