Paired in the Europa League standings, undefeated but currently outside the top eight, in what will be their first ever historic clash, Viktoria Plzen and Manchester United face each other on Thursday at 18:45 at the Doosan Arena. The goal, first and foremost, is to maintain their unbeaten run and perhaps also take those three points that would be of capital importance at this point in the competition, both because they would effectively exclude the possibility of elimination and because they would greatly increase the chances of direct entry to the Round of 16.

Shape and main statistics of Viktoria Plzen

The last match played by Viktoria Plzen was the away victory in the championship over Karvina which confirmed the competitiveness of the team, second in their championship but far from an uncatchable Slavia Prague.

In the last 5 games, however, Viktoria Plzen have won 4 times and drawn only 1 time, therefore, there is little to complain about the form of Koubek's boys.

If we add to this that the Czech team is undefeated in the Europa League, not only considering this season but also a part of last season (9 games in a row without a defeat) and that, overall in all competitions, at home in the last 21 games they have lost only 1 time, it is clear why Viktoria Plzen can be defined as a fearsome, close-knit and valuable team.

Manchester United's shape and main statistics

The most optimistic Manchester United fans who thought that replacing Erik Ten Hag with Ruben Amorim would have yielded immediate results, for now, can only be disappointed: the 2 consecutive defeats in the Premier League of the Red Devils against Arsenal and Nottingham Forest are a thread with the recent past that, evidently, has not yet broken.

Looking only at the Europa League, however, United are undefeated and, just like their rivals, have collected 2 wins and 3 draws, also boasting an excellent recent record in the competition that speaks of only 1 defeat in the last 16 and, specifically away from home (8 useful results in the last 9 away from Old Trafford)

These data, charge Manchester United in Europe and confirm their chances of getting points in this key away game which, if overcome, could then open the doors to direct qualification, despite, as written, the certainties of the historic English club, at the moment, are very few.

Match prediction and tactical overview

Viktoria Plzen and Manchester United have truly had a mirror path so far in this Europa League: they are both undefeated in the competition and boast two attacks of 2 goals per game each (10 goals for Manchester United, 9 for Viktoria Plzen).

Furthermore, both Viktoria Plzen and Manchester United have had quite explosive and unpredictable matches such as the two 3-3 against, respectively, Frankfurt and Porto. The feeling, therefore, is that the match could end with different goals and in different ways, therefore, we follow the BetMines algorithm that prefers Over 2.5 to Under 2.5.

• The prediction of the BetMines algorithm for the match Viktoria Plzen and Manchester United, predicts an Over 2.5 at 58%

• The prediction of the BetMines algorithm for the match Viktoria Plzen and Manchester United, predicts an Under 2.5 at 42%

Probable lineups of Viktoria Plzen vs Manchester United

Viktoria Plzen (3-4-3): Jedlicka; Dweh, Hejda, Jemelka; Cadu, Cerv, Kalvach, Souare; Sulc, Jyrka, Vydra. Coach: Koubek.

Manchester United (4-2-3-1): Onana; Dalot, Mazraoui, De Ligt, Lisandro Martinez; Casemiro, Bruno Fernandes; Antony, Zirkzee, Mount; Rashford. Coach: Amorim