Bitesize Prediction: Hearts vs Plzen – 29/08/24

Competition: Europa League qualifiers

Market: Plzen win

Odds: 1/1 @ BetUS

Looking to punch their Europa League group stage ticket on Thursday night, Plzen will travel to Tynecastle when they meet Hearts.

Starting with the hosts, suffering last-gasp heartbreak over in the Czech Republic last week as they suffered a 1-0 first-leg defeat, Hearts appear to have a real challenge on their hands here. While the Jambos might have gained a string of plaudits last season as they secured a bronze medal finish among Scotland’s elite, Steven Naismith’s men find themselves at the heart of a real crisis this time around. Showing a string of glaring issues since opening up the 2024/25 campaign, the Edinburgh-based outfit have the feel of a squad seeking a crucial boost. Last seen over the weekend putting in another worrying display as they slumped to a 3-1 drumming at the hands of Motherwell, Hearts have failed to pick up a single victory across any competition since opening up the new season. Crashing out of the Scottish League Cup on August 17th following a 2-0 defeat away at Falkirk, Naismith’s struggling squad have lost all of their previous four matchups across all formats by an aggregate score of 9-2.

As for the visitors, eventually claiming what was a crucial first-leg advantage last week as they snatched that 1-0 victory at the Doosan Arena, Plzen are sat in the driving seat to punch a Europa League group stage spot here. Flying out of the traps since opening up the 2024/25 campaign and mustering 13 points from their first five domestic appearances, Miroslav Koubek’s men are riding a major wave of momentum. Unbeaten in all of their first eight appearances across all competitions so far the season, Plzen have continued to shine at both ends of the pitch. With their purple patch underlined by a stellar 5-0 romp against Karvina on August 11th, Plzen have won all of their previous five matchups by an aggregate score of 12-1. It should also be highlighted, Thursday’s guests have not conceded a single goal in over 400 minutes of action. Holding a slender advantage when they travel to Tynecastle in midweek, we are backing an away victory here.

Bet: Plzen 1/1 to beat Hearts in Thursday’s Europa League qualifying showdown @ BetUS