The Czech Republic are out to make it three wins from three in 2026 World Cup qualifying but face a step up in class when Montenegtro come calling.
The fixtures at the start of Group L were kind on the Czechs as they hosted the Faroe Islands before travelling to Gibraltar. Anything other than six points from those matches would have been a disaster and they came within a whisker of messing it up on day one.
The Faroes equalised with just seven minutes to go and were on course for a shock point, only for Patrik Schick to spare the blushes by grabbing a late winner with his second goal of the game.
The Czech Republic were more comfortable in Gibraltar as they eased to a 4-0 win and they now host a Montenegro side who have also collected maximum points so far against the minnows.
Neither of those victories was comfortable though and only a stoppage-time goal from Edvin Kuc sealed a 1-0 win over the Faroes last time out.
Montenegro also fell behind to Gibraltar before rallying to claim a 3-1 win so they will need to up their game to stand a chance in Plzen.
How the bookies view it: Czech mate
Even though the Czech Republic haven't been in great form, they're still heavy favourites for this one at just 4/11 with BoyleSports. Montenegro are 7/1 rank outsiders and the draw pays 10/3.
Head to head: Five in a woe for Montenegro
These nations have faced off just five times before and the Czechs have a perfect record, winning every time. They last met in a friendly two years ago in Montenegro and it ended in a 4-1 win for the visitors.
Players to watch: Pat's the way to do it
It's hard to look past Schick for a Czech Republic goal, with the Leverkusen striker netting three times already in World Cup qualifying. He has 23 goals from 44 caps so looks decent value for anytime scorer at 6/5 with Bet365.
Skipper Stevan Jovetic is the star man in Montenegro's ranks and is still going strong at the age of 35. The former Manchester City, Inter Milan and Sevilla striker is 4/1 at Bet365 to add to his tally of 37 international goals.
Probable line-ups
The Czechs should be along similar lines to the first two qualifiers, with manager Ivan Hasek naming a squad with all his big hitters in it. After coming off the bench to grab that priceless winner against the Faroes, midfielder Kuc could earn a start for Montenegro here.
Czech Republic: Kovar, Holes, Jemelka, Krejci, Coufal, Cerv, Kral, Hlozek, Soucek, Schick, Cerny.
Montenegro: Popovic, Vukcevic, Vujacic, Vesovic, Sipcic, Camaj, Jankovic, Kuc, Loncar, Jovetic, Krstovic.
Anything else catch the eye?
The Czech Republic have a huge game away to Croatia just three days after this match so boss Hasek will be looking to finish off Montenegro early so he can give some players a rest.
That makes the 11/10 available at BoyleSports for the home side to be winning at half-time and full-time look pretty appealing. I also like over four first-half corners at 11/10 with Bet365.
Montenegro have been struggling for goals of late and fired blanks in their last three Nations League games, with a scorer bet landing for our man Gavin as they lost 1-0 in Wales. They also had to wait until stoppage time before breaking down the Faroes so a Czech win to nil could pay off here at 21/20.
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