Servette host Viktoria Plzen on Wednesday in the second leg of their Champions League second qualifying round tie. The match takes place at Stade de Geneve, with the Swiss side holding a 1-0 lead from the first leg.
Despite the result in the opening leg, Plzen were dominant. They finished with 25 shots to Servette’s six, had nine shots on target compared to two, created six big chances and registered an xG of 2.02 against just 0.34 for their opponents. Servette took the lead with their only real opportunity and held on, but Plzen will feel hard done by and confident they can reverse the scoreline.
Domestically, Plzen began their league campaign with a 5-1 win, while Servette are yet to start theirs. Plzen finished second in the Czech league last season with 71 points and had a strong European campaign, reaching the Europa League last 16. Their xPTS last season aligned closely with their final position, supported by over two goals scored per match on average.
Servette also finished second but did so overperforming their underlying numbers. Their xPTS total of 49 was more reflective of a fifth place side. They conceded 55.7 xGA and were heavily reliant on their goalkeeper, ranking among the league’s highest for saves made. Going forward, they created plenty but were wasteful, missing 56 big chances. Servette will look to protect their narrow lead, but Plzen’s dominance in the first leg and attacking quality suggest this tie is far from over.
How the bookies view it: Visitors are favourites
Servette are priced at 14/5 to win the second leg, which implies a probability of around 26%. The draw is 11/4, suggesting about 27%, while Viktoria Plzen are 19/20 favourites, with an implied chance of roughly 51%. Over 2.5 goals is available at 17/20, which implies a 54% chance, and both teams to score is 4/5, indicating a probability of around 56%.
Head to Head: One goal in three meetings
Viktoria Plzen and Servette have faced each other three times, with Servette holding the slight edge. Servette have one win, while the other two meetings ended in goalless draws. Across all three matches, Plzen have yet to score, and only one goal has been recorded in total. Two of those encounters came in the 2023–24 Europa Conference League round of 16, both ending 0–0. The limited head-to-head history suggests a cautious pattern, but both sides come into this tie with more attacking intent and stronger form in front of goal, so a more open contest is likely this time.
Players to watch: Sulc shots worthy of consideration
Pavel Sulc is a strong candidate to record multiple shots in this match, given his attacking role and recent form. In Plzen’s league opener this season, he managed three shots in just 69 minutes, scoring once and adding two assists. Last season in the Czech First League, he averaged nearly two shots per game and was regularly involved in buildup around the box. In European fixtures, he also showed intent, registering attempts consistently against stronger opposition. He managed one shot off target in the first leg.
His position in Plzen’s 4-4-2 allows him freedom to arrive late in the box and take shots from central areas and just outside the penalty area. Against a Servette side that conceded over 55 xGA last season and ranked among the highest for saves faced, Sulc should find chances to shoot multiple times.
Predicted line-ups
Servette (4-2-3-1): Mall, Mazikou, Rouiller, Severin, Magnin, Cognat, Baron, Stevanovic, Antunes, Morandi, Mraz
Viktoria Plzen (3-4-2-1): Jedlicka, Dweh, Markovic, Jemelka, Ladra, Cerv, Memic, Visinsky, Sulc, Vydra, Adu
Anything else catch the eye?
Both teams to score stands out as a strong betting angle in this second leg. Servette may have kept a clean sheet in the first leg, but the balance of play suggests that will be difficult to repeat. Plzen have scored in 14 of their last 15 competitive away games and are likely to push hard from the start. Their early league form backs that up, with five goals scored on opening day.
Servette, meanwhile, averaged 1.68 goals per game last season in the Swiss Super League and had the third-most touches in the opposition box. While they lacked clinical finishing, they created consistent pressure and are dangerous in transition. They’ll be playing at home with a lead to defend, but also know one goal would force Plzen to score at least three.
Plzen’s aggressive style will leave space at the back, and Servette have the pace and creativity to take advantage. Last season, Plzen’s Europa League knockout ties regularly saw goals at both ends, including against Lazio and Ferencvaros. Given what’s at stake, the game should open up, especially if Plzen score early. With both teams carrying goal threats and Servette’s defence likely to come under sustained pressure, both teams to score looks well-priced.
GambleAware