The new format of the Europa League is underway. Viktoria Plzen will be hosting the Heart of Midlothian F.C. from Scotland at the Doosan Arena on the 22nd of August at 7 pm (Czechia local time).

Viktoria Plzen are coming off a 3-0 hammering of SK Dynamo away from home. Goals from Erik Jirka, Cadu and Lukas Kalvach sealed the victory in the league fixture for Plzen.

Hearts, meanwhile are coming off a disappointing defeat against Falkirk in the Scottish League Cup. Goals from Ethan Ross and Dylan Tait sealed the deal for Falkirk.

Team News and Predicted XI

Viktoria Plzen

Viktoria Plzen have a few names missing out due to injury. Lukas Hejda, Christophe Kabongo and Jan Skyora are nursing long-term injuries, and will not play a part in the fixture. The attack is expected to feature Daniel Vasulin and Pavel Sulc.

Predicted XI: Tvrdon; Dweh, Hranac, Jemelka; Kopic, Cerv, Kalvach, Sloncik, Havel; Sulc, Vasulin

Hearts

Hearts will be missing a few names. While Frankie Kent featuring in the game is a doubt, Beni Baningime and Calem Nieuwenhof will not be featuring in this match. Lawrence Shankland is expected to start up front.

Predicted XI: Clark; Taylor, Kingsley, Rowles, Penrice; Devlin, Grant; Dhanda, Shankland, McKay; Vargas

Match Deciding Duel

Daniel Vasulin vs. Kye Rowles

Daniel Vasulin has been in good form for Viktoria Plzen in the Europa League qualifying stages. In front of him, in the Heart of the Hearts’ defense will be Australian Kye Rowles. The 26-yeard-old center back will be key to thwarting the threat Vasulin possesses.

Viktoria Plzen vs. Hearts Odds

Viktoria Plzen: 1.44

Hearts: 6.25

Prediction

Viktoria Plzen 2-0 Hearts

Viktoria Plzen are the clear favorite coming into the match. With home advantage on their side as well, expect the Czechia club to pull it off against Hearts. A clean sheet for Plzen.

The regular season of the football season has kicked off and is in full swing. However, the qualifying rounds of the UEFA Champions League have been going on for quite a while, starting much ahead of the major leagues. Now it’s time for the UEFA Champions League Qualifying playoffs. Lille will take on Slavia Prague at Stade du Hainaut on the 20th of August, 9 pm. It is worth noting that Lille will not be playing at their home stadium, but rather at the home of Valenciennes, due to Lille’s stadium being a part of the Paris Olympics.

Lille, in the previous round, had a rather dramatic encounter. Having edged Fenerbahce in the first leg, 2-1, they came into the second leg and found themselves behind against Jose Mourinho’s men. The match then went to extra time, but to Lille’s fans’ delight, Jonathan David plucked out a victory for the French team in the 118th minute, to send them to the next round.

Slavia Prague, meanwhile finished 2nd in the Czech league last year. Hence, they were sent to the UEFA Champions League qualifiers’ third round. However, in the 3rd round, Slavia Prague hammered Belgian side Royale Union Saint-Gilloise, 4-1 over two legs to earn a matchup against Lille. The team from Czechia had sealed the tie after winning the first leg 3-1 at home.

Team News and Predicted XI

Lille

Aissa Mandi and Angel Gomes will not be a part of this leg against Slavia Prague. While Mandi will be serving a suspension he received in the first leg against Fenerbahce, the former Manchester United midfielder is recovering from a serious head injury.

Predicted XI: Chevalier; Meunier, Diakite, Alexsandro, Gudmundsson; Santos, Mukau, Andre; Cabella, Haraldsson; David

Slavia Prague

There aren’t many injury troubles for the team from Czechia. They will be looking forward to utilising this advantage to the maximum.

Predicted XI: Kinsky; Holes, Ogbu, Zima; Masopust, Dorley, Zafeiris, Diouf; Schranz, Chory, Provod

Match Deciding Duel

Jonathan David vs. Igoh Ogbu

Jonathan David has been in unbelievable form. Even in the second leg against Fenerbahce, he was the one who bailed out the French team. With the help of Hakon Arnar Haraldsson and the experienced Remy Cabella, David will just have to be clinical in front of goal. However, he will be up against Nigerian defender Igoh Ogbu. The agile defender will have his task cut out on the 20th of August.

Lille vs. Slavia Prague Odds

Lille: 1.72

Slavia Prague: 4.75

Prediction

Lille 2-0 Slavia Prague

Lille are the clear favorites, and playing at home conditions, they will be looking forward to making the best out of the first leg. Expect a clean sheet from the French team, with a goal from Jonathan David.

The second leg of the Europa League’s third-round qualifying is here. Swiss club Servette will take on Portugal’s Braga at Stade de Geneve on the 15th of August at 8:30 PM (Local time Switzerland).

Both the teams are coming off a rather dull draw in the first leg at Estadio AXA last week. The 0-0 draw was devoid of action, with home team Braga ending up with a majority of possession.

Team News and Predicted XI

Servette

Servette are not troubled by injuries. Thomas Haberli’s men have remained quite fit since the season began. However, Steve Rouiller will not play a part following an injury in the first leg.

Predicted XI: Frick; Tsunemoto, Baron, Severin, Mazikou; Ondoua, Cognat; Stevanovic, Antunes, Kutesa; Crivelli

Braga

Braga now have a new coach, and he was appointed as the head coach only two days ago, on the 12th of August. Carlos Carvalhal is the new manager who took over following dismal performances from previous head coach Daniel Sousa, who was a part of the club only for a few months. And like, Servette, Braga aren’t affected by many injuries as well.

Predicted XI: Matheus; Gomez, Arrey-Mbi, Niakate, Marin; Zalazar, Moutinho, R. Horta; Roger, El Ouazzani, Bruma

Match Deciding Duel

Enzo Crivelli vs. Joao Moutinho

Joao Moutinho, the ever-dependent midfielder has been in good form. He played an important role in Braga’s recent goal against Estrela, and will also look to curb the attack of the opposition. Enzo Crivelli, although, not very clinical in front of the goal, will have to shoulder the responsibility of helping his team make a mark on the scoresheet.

Servette vs. Braga Odds

Servette: 3.2

Braga: 2.25

Prediction

Servette 0-1 Braga

Although they will be playing at their home, Servette might have a tough time against Braga. Expect Braga to keep a clean sheet and come away with a narrow 1-0 victory and advance to the next stage of the tournament.