Viktoria Plzen vs Manchester United Europa League tips and predictions

Viktoria Plzen state of play

Viktoria Plzen are in fine fettle as last Sunday's 2-1 victory against Karvina in the Czech First League extended their unbeaten run to seven games in all competitions.

Attacking midfielder Pavel Sulc was at the double to take his tally to four in his last four and his season record to 10 in 27 appearances.

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Plzen had to progress through two stages of qualifying to reach the Europa League proper, with Scottish side Hearts seen off in the play-off round.

They have the same league phase record as Manchester United - two wins and three draws - although they are below their Premier League opponents on goal difference.

Manchester United state of play

Manchester United didn't exactly help themselves in last Saturday's 3-2 defeat to Nottingham Forest.

Slack defending from a corner allowed Nikola Milenkovic to head home in the second minute and Andre Onana seemed to lose concentration when beaten by Morgan Gibbs-White's long-range effort after the break.

It was the Red Devils' second defeat in four days after a 2-0 loss at Arsenal and the honeymoon period already appears to be over for Ruben Amorim.

Thursday's trip to the Czech Republic offers a chance to bounce back to winning ways and a victory would put them in a stronger position to qualify for the knockout stage.

Key talking point: Can United claim all three points away from home?

One of the many features of Manchester United's disappointing campaign has been their poor form on the road.

The Red Devils have been successful just once away from Old Trafford and that was against the Premier League's bottom team, Southampton.

It is something Amorim will need to address if he is to pull United out of their slumber and keeping the ball out of the net would be the perfect place to start putting things right.

Onana has kept just one clean sheet since Amorim's appointment so the pressure could be on the likes of Bruno Fernandes and Marcus Rashford to score if United are to secure a positive result.

FIRST’s top tip for Viktoria Plzen vs Manchester United

Draw and both teams to score - Yes - 89/20 (Mr.Play)

Plzen are unbeaten on home soil in the current campaign and should provide a stiff test for United.

The two sides have developed a knack for drawing games in the Europa League and both teams to score has landed in four of their five league-phase fixtures respectively.

Extra tips

Under 8.5 corners 47/25 (Mr.Play)

Under 8.5 corners has landed in four of United's five games since Amorim took charge, partly down to the fact they have won just 12 in that period, while there have been fewer than nine corners in three of Plzen's league-phase games.

Team news

Plzen are set to be without winger Jan Sykora and attacking duo Rafiu Durosinmi and Christophe Kabongo due to injury.

Luke Shaw remains on the sidelines after picking up a new injury, Victor Lindelof has returned to training, although Jonny Evans is likely to miss out again.