Will the Czechs get off to a successful start at home?

Last season, Viktoria Plzeň held its own in one of three international competitions until mid-March. The Czechs almost made it to the quarter-finals of the Europa League, but after a fantastic season on the European stage, they were dramatically knocked out by Lazio Rome. The new European adventure now begins in the second qualifying round of the UEFA Champions League, where Koubek’s team will hopefully get off to a successful start with a Viktoria Pilsen vs. Servette Geneva tip in favor of the hosts.

The visitors from French-speaking Switzerland have no reason to be intimidated, however. After all, the “Grenats” finished the Super League season in second place behind FC Basel. However, they have yet to qualify for the group or league stage of the Champions League. There is currently little to suggest that this will change in 2025/26, because regardless of the Viktoria Plzeň vs. Servette Geneva prediction after the first and second legs, the third qualifying round would see them face Benfica Lisbon, an absolute heavyweight that would instantly tip both clubs into the role of underdogs.

Viktoria Plzeň – Statistics & current form

Viktoria Plzeň ended the 2024/25 season without a title, but still with a satisfactory result overall. Behind the dominant title winners Slavia Prague, they finished runners-up in the Chance Liga. As mentioned, they made a somewhat surprising leap into the round of 16 in the Europa League. Among other things, the Czechs impressed on their way there with good results against Eintracht Frankfurt (3-3), Real Sociedad (2-1) and Ferencvaros (3-0). Their elimination in the round of 16 against Lazio Rome could definitely have been avoided.

After reaching the quarter-finals of the Conference League in the 2023/24 season and the last 16 of the Europa League last year, the Czechs are now aiming to return to the biggest international stage for club teams. Viktorka last appeared in the group stage in 2022/23 and is aiming to return to the main draw in 2025/26, although it will have to survive three qualifying rounds to do so.

Viktoria Pilsen counting on home advantage in first leg

At least before the first leg of the match between Viktoria Pilsen and Servette Geneva, the betting odds suggest that the Red and Blues will advance to the next round. Betano is offering odds of 1.62 for Pilsen to reach the third round. With Betano’s $20 free bet, you can significantly reduce your own risk.

The fact that the new competitive season got off to a smooth start last weekend certainly speaks in favor of the team led by 73-year-old head coach Miroslav Koubek. The Beer City team won 5-1 away at Pardubice to climb to the top of the table in the Czech Republic.

In general, it can be assumed that the reigning runners-up will hardly need any time to get up to speed and perform at a high level. The squad has remained virtually unchanged. With Lukas Kalvach moving to Qatar, there was only one real key player to replace. Otherwise, Viktoria appear well-rehearsed, focused, and very stable. Added to this is their traditional home strength, which saw them lose only two games and concede five goals in eight European Cup matches last season.

Predicted line-up:
Jedlicka – Jemelka, Markovic, Dweh – Spacil, Ladra, Cerv, Mamic – Sulc – Adu, Vydra

Servette Geneva – Statistics & current form

Similar to Viktoria Pilsen, Servette Geneva had to concede defeat to a dominant team, in this case FC Basel, in their domestic league last season. Nevertheless, after finishing second again (as in 2022/23), those in charge were very satisfied with the performance of Thomas Häberli and his team.

Once again, the men from French-speaking Switzerland have the chance to qualify for the group stage of Europe’s premier club competition. In 2023/24, this plan failed after a defeat in the third qualifying round against Glasgow Rangers. In 2024/25, their Europa League campaign came to an end in the third qualifying round against Sporting Braga. In 2025/26, if the Viktoria Pilsen vs. Servette Geneva odds from the first leg are anything to go by, the team could even be eliminated in the second qualifying round. For an away win on Tuesday evening, the Merkur Bets app, for example, offers high odds of 5.69, which implies a probability of victory of less than 18%.

Servette has had a decent preseason so far

Admittedly, however, it is difficult to make a reliable statement about the current performance of the “Grenats.” After all, the Geneva team is still in the middle of its preseason preparations. The first leg at the Doosan Arena will be their first competitive game of the 2025/26 season, before the new Super League season kicks off next weekend.

It is not really appropriate to use test match results as a benchmark, but Häberli’s protégés have at least been able to boost their confidence recently. They have recorded three consecutive wins against Saint Etienne, Neuchatel Xamax, and Grenoble Foot. They scored seven goals in those games, but also conceded two goals in each of the last two games. This continues a trend from last season’s final, when at least five goals were scored in four of the five championship games involving Servette.

Those who want to cling to this statistic and believe in a high-scoring first leg on Tuesday evening will find attractive betting odds for the Viktoria Pilsen vs. Servette Geneva prediction that the home side will win, but both teams will score at least once. NEO.bet is offering odds of 1.60 for at least one goal in both halves. Furthermore, new customers can get €10 free with the NEO.bet promotion code.

Predicted line-up:
Mall – Mazikou, Severin, Rouiller, Maignan – Ondoua, Cognat – Varela, Antunes, Mraz – Stevanovic

Viktoria Pilsen – Servette Geneva Head-to-head record

These two clubs have met twice so far. These encounters took place just under a year and a half ago. In the round of 16 of the 2023/24 Conference League season, Viktoria Pilsen won 3-1 on penalties. Interestingly, both the first and second legs ended goalless. Will we see the first goal from open play in the third encounter?

Viktoria Pilsen – Servette Geneva Tip

Some big names are already entering the second qualifying round of the UEFA Champions League. Two of them are facing each other in a direct duel. A year and a half ago, Viktoria Pilsen and Servette Geneva were still in the round of 16 of the Conference League, with Pilsen even reaching the round of 16 of the Europa League the season before. Servette Geneva, meanwhile, has established itself at the top of the Super League and is eager to make its mark on the international stage once again.

On paper, I see the Czechs ahead. On the one hand, because they are traditionally strong at home. On the other hand, because the squad has more to offer and the Red and Blues are going into this season virtually unchanged. The first competitive game was also won 5-1. I therefore recommend betting on a home win for Viktoria Pilsen against Servette Geneva before the first leg, which you can combine with the Bet-at-home bonus at maximum odds of 1.68.