Match Of The 8th Round Of The Group Stage Of The 2025/26 Europa League Between Basel (Switzerland) And Viktoria Plzen (Czech Republic) Will Take Place On 29 january At St. Jakob-Park Stadium. Basel vs Viktoria Plzen: prediction, betting odds and statistics.
Basel
Basel alternated wins and defeats during the first half of the group stage, and it has since become noticeably more difficult. Last Thursday Basel lost away to Salzburg (1:3), so the club has now failed to take points in three consecutive European matches. Overall the Swiss side has lost 5 of their last 7 matches in this season's Europa League, collecting only 6 points in that period. The team sits 27th in the table and has a chance to reach the play-offs, but that is achievable only with a victory over Viktoria Plzen, and even with a favourable result they will need rivals to slip up. Note that Basel changed their head coach: Ludovic Magnin has been replaced by Stephan Lichtsteiner, who previously worked with the club's youth teams.
- The team has scored in 4 Europa League matches in a row.
- The Swiss side's uncompromising run in this competition spans 19 games (11 wins, 8 losses).
- Basel conceded at least 2 goals in 7 of their last 9 Europa League games.
Potential Basel Lineup (4-5-1)*
Marvin Hitz – Dominik Schmid, Flavius Daniliuc, Jonas Ajeti, Nicolas Vujovic – Andrei Bachanin, Leo Leroy, Beni Traore, Xherdan Shaqiri, Jeremy Agbonifo – Caio Eduardo.
Forwards Moritz Broschinski and midfielder Metinho are injured. Participation of defenders Nicolas Vujovic and Keigo Tsunemoto, as well as forward Caio Eduardo, is in doubt.
Viktoria Plzen
Viktoria Plzen are among three teams that remain unbeaten in the current Europa League campaign. However, 5 of their 7 matches in this competition ended in draws, and ahead of the trip to Basel Viktoria shared the points in four consecutive games. Last week the club came very close to beating Porto, but the opponent equalised in the 90th minute (1:1). After that match the Czech side secured a place in the knockout rounds, but avoiding play-offs is practically impossible. Viktoria Plzen trail 8th place by 3 points, and several rivals still lie ahead.
- Since the start of this Europa League edition the team has conceded a total of 3 goals - the best record alongside Lyon and Freiburg.
- The visitors have won with a +1.5 handicap in five away games in this European competition.
- No more than 2 goals were scored in 5 of Viktoria's last 7 Europa League matches.
Potential Viktoria Plzen Lineup (3-5-2)*
Floran Wegele – Merhas Doski, Cheick Souare, Karel Spacil – Amar Memic, Lukas Cerv, Matej Valenta, Tomas Ladra, Kristof Kobongo – Matej Vydra, Denis Vishinsky.
Suspensions for defenders Sampson Dwe and Vaclav Jemelka have ended, but forward Matej Vydra is now serving a suspension. Defender Jan Paluska and forward Prince Kwabena Adu are unavailable due to injuries.
Referee
Giorgi Kruashvili (Georgia)
Matches – 6 (International matches, 2025/26);
Yellow/Red Cards Shown (Including Second Yellows) – 35;
Average Yellow/Red Cards Per Match – 5.8;
Red Cards Shown – 4;
Fouls Per Match On Average – 24;
Penalties – 33%.
Basel vs Viktoria Plzen: Match Prediction
Basel has seriously complicated its situation ahead of the final round of the group stage. At first the club at least won every second Europa League match, but now the Swiss side have an unpleasant run of three defeats. The team urgently needs a win, yet in the last 7 European matches Basel has collected only 6 points, losing 5 of those 7 games.
Viktoria Plzen remain one of the three teams still unbeaten in the main tournament of the Europa League. Although the Czechs have accumulated 5 draws over 7 rounds, we have never seen the club close to defeat. On the contrary, there have been instances when Viktoria could have won but surrendered their advantage in the closing minutes.
It is quite possible that the visitors will finish the group stage of the Europa League without a loss. Prediction – Viktoria Plzen Or Draw.
Prediction: Viktoria Plzen Or Draw
* The starting lineup for each team is shown from its previous match in this competition.
