In the first leg of the second round of qualifying in the Champions League, Viktoria Plzen will welcome Servette to Doosan Arena on Tuesday.

The Czech hosts were automatically entered into the second stage of qualifying after finishing second in their domestic league in 2024-25, much like their Swiss opponents, who finished as runners-up in 2024-25 to Basel.

Match preview

Plzen began their 2025-26 top-flight campaign on Friday, emerging as 5-1 victors against Pardubice, and they will be pleased to have prevented their opponents from creating any big chances.

Head coach Miroslav Koubek’s side ended last season having scored 71 goals and conceded 36 times, five fewer scored and 12 more shipped than in 2023-24.

The hosts competed in the Europa League last term, and they managed to win their third and fourth round playoff games, but they would ultimately be eliminated in the round of 16 by Lazio.

Koubek’s team finished their 2024-25 season with two consecutive victories, and they also avoided defeat in their seven friendlies, winning six of those matches.

Plzen won four of their five most recent competitive games at home – losing once – but they did lose two and win two of their past four European fixtures at Doosan Arena.

As for the visitors, their pre-season campaign came to an end on July 18, when they emerged as 3-2 winners against St Etienne.

Boss Thomas Haberli has overseen a successful period in terms of friendly results, with his side achieving wins in four of their five matches leading up to Tuesday’s clash.

Servette have twice faced Plzen – both in the Conference League playoffs in 2024 – but they lost 1-0 over the two legs.

The Swiss side were beaten in the Europa League and Conference League qualifiers by Braga and Chelsea respectively last season, and they were also dumped out of the third round of the Champions League qualifiers by Rangers in 2023-24.

Haberli’s record on the road in the closing stages of 2024-25 was poor given they lost their final three outings away from home by a cumulative score of 6-2.

Viktoria Plzen form (all competitions):

Servette friendly form (all competitions):

Team News

Plzen could hand starts to centre-backs Sampson Dweh, Svetozar Markovic and Vaclav Jemelka, while Lukas Cerv and Tomas Ladra will be pushing for places in midfield.

Matej Vydra and Pavel Sulc were deployed in attacking roles last time out, and the duo may be stationed behind striker Prince Kwabena Adu.

However, left wing-back Karel Spacil is injured, and he is likely to be replaced in the team by Merchas Doski.

Meanwhile, Servette may deploy a back four, with Yoan Severin and Steve Rouiller featuring in the middle of defence.

Timothe Cognat and Gael Ondoua are candidates to appear in a double pivot behind attackers Miroslav Stevanovic, Alexis Antunes, Keyan Varela and Samuel Mraz.

Viktoria Plzen possible starting lineup:

Jedlicka; Dweh, Markovic, Jemelka; Memic, Cerv, Ladra, Doski; Vydra, Sulc; Adu

Servette possible starting lineup:

Mall; Tsunemoto, Severin, Rouiller, Mazikou; Cognat, Ondoua; Stevanovic, Antunes, Varela; Mraz

We say: Viktoria Plzen 2-1 Servette

Tuesday’s clash is likely to be a close affair given both sides have enjoyed productive pre-season campaigns.

Plzen will hope to take advantage of the fact that Servette have not always been strong on the road, and they may emerge as narrow victors.

For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.

Written by
Lewis Nolan

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