Plzen vs Levski Sofia: Injuries Stack Up Against the Bulgarians

Plzen have won just once in their four matches this season, and their home record tells the story of a side that concedes as freely as it scores. They have hit the net six times and conceded nine.

Two sides searching for a first foothold

Neither team has made much impression in the League Stage yet. Plzen sit 31st of 36 with no points from two games, while Levski Sofia are 24th with a single point. Thursday’s third matchday at Doosan Arena is a chance for either side to start climbing, and neither can afford another slow start.

Levski’s depleted squad

Levski arrive with a significant problem in the dressing room. Five players are missing: P. Hristov, O. Kamdem and M. Sangare are not in the squad, R. Kirilov is sidelined with a knee injury, and A. Mitkov is inactive. A. Bouras is also a doubt with a muscle problem. Losing that many players hits a side hard in a competition where depth matters, and it may force a rethink of Levski’s usual shape.

Plzen have their own concerns. V. Jemelka is out with a knee injury, M. Tvrdon is not in the squad, and A. Sojka is a doubt because of health problems. Their absences are fewer, and that gap could matter in a game that may be decided by which side handles its problems better.

Our prediction

PreviaXI’s model favours the home side, and the reasoning holds up. Plzen have the greater share of the attacking play and the advantage of their own ground, while Levski’s injury list limits their options both going forward and in defence. We expect a fairly open start from Plzen, with the hosts gradually taking control as Levski’s bench struggles to make an impact.

Plzen 2-0 Levski Sofia