The Matchday 1 clash of the 2025/26 UEFA Europa League group stage between Ferencvaros (Hungary) and Viktoria Plzen (Czech Republic) will take place on September 25 at the Ferencvaros Stadium in Budapest. Ferencvaros vs. Viktoria Plzen: prediction and betting odds, statistics.
Ferencvaros
The Hungarians came close to reaching the Champions League in this European campaign but fell short in the final qualifying round against Qarabag. This marks their second consecutive participation in the Europa League. Last season, Ferencvaros finished 17th in the main stage but was eliminated in the first playoff round, coincidentally against Plzen. The club's best Europa League performance was reaching the Round of 16 in the 2022/23 season. Notably, Ferencvaros has shown uncompromising results in the Europa League, winning 5 and losing 5 of their last 10 matches.
- At least one opponent failed to score in 6 of Ferencvaros's last 8 Europa League matches.
- On home turf in this tournament, the club has not lost in 5 of their last 6 matches (4 wins, 1 draw).
- In 6 of their last 8 home games in the Europa League, the team has not scored more than one goal.
Predicted lineup for Ferencvaros (3-5-2)
Denes Dibusz – Gabor Szalai, Stefan Gartenmann, Toon Raemaekers – Kadu Cruz, Alex Toth, Gavriel Kanichowsky, Naby Keita, Barnabas Nagy – Barnabas Varga, Bamidele Yusuf.
Midfielder Kristian Lisztes is injured.
Viktoria Plzen
The Czechs also exited the Champions League, losing to Rangers over two legs. They participated in the Europa League last season as well, finishing 16th in the main stage and advancing one round in the playoffs before stopping in the Round of 16, matching their best performance in this tournament. However, Plzen has won only one of their last five Europa League matches (1 draw, 3 losses).
- Viktoria has not scored more than one goal in 5 of their last 7 Europa League matches.
- The team has conceded in 6 consecutive away games in this tournament.
- The Czechs have won only one of their last six away Europa League matches (3 draws, 2 losses).
Predicted lineup for Viktoria Plzen (3-4-3)
Martin Jedlicka – Vaclav Jemelka, Jan Paluska, Samson Dweh – Lukas Cerv, Karel Spacil, Cheikh Souare, Amar Memic – Matej Vydra, Prince Kwabena Adu, Rafiu Durosinmi.
Midfielders Jan Kopic and Jiri Panos are injured.
Referee
Sander van der Eijk (Netherlands)
Matches – 7 (International matches, 2025/26);
Yellow cards shown (including second yellows) – 12;
Average yellow cards per match – 1.7;
Red cards shown – 1;
Average fouls per match – 25;
Penalties – 29%.
Match Prediction: Ferencvaros vs. Viktoria Plzen
Ferencvaros's matches in last season's Europa League were notably high-scoring. From the main stage onward, the team scored in 7 out of 10 matches. However, they managed to keep a clean sheet in only three games, with two of those opponents finishing among the tournament's bottom three clubs.
The Czechs had similar results, with three clean sheets and only two matches without scoring, despite playing two more games. Viktoria has conceded in 6 consecutive away Europa League matches, but they have also scored in 5 of those encounters.
Additionally, both teams scored in 6 of Viktoria's last 8 away Europa League matches. This is another factor supporting the prediction "Both teams to score – yes".
