Pavel Vrba’s last game as Viktoria Plzen boss on Tuesday and he will be keen to guide the Czech side into the Europa League knockout stages.
Vrba sends his troops out against CSKA Moscow for a final time before taking over as the manager of the national team and any win will do for the hosts.
It is five defeats in as many Champions League matches for Plzen but they and their upcoming opponents were always going to be outclassed by Manchester City and Bayern Munich in Group D and, in truth, they have not been disgraced.
There was plenty to like about Plzen’s performance in the 4-2 defeat at Eastlands last time out and I expect them to give Vrba the perfect send off by clinching third place.
It finished 3-2 to the Russians when this pair met in Moscow back on Matchday 2, Japanese star Keisuke Honda among those on target for the hosts.
Plzen were unlucky on the night however, CSKA’s third goal coming as the result of some comical defending, and home advantage is expected to tip the balance in their favour on Tuesday.
CSKA were beaten 1-0 in Krasnodar on Friday and that was the sixth time in eight matches on their domestic travels Leonid Slutsky had seen his side draw a blank.
That’s a shocking return for a side with title aspirations and one which is now six points adrift of leaders Zenit.
Plzen enter their winter break trailing only Sparta Prague, remaining unbeaten at the Doosan Arena this season.
It is just four goals conceded domestically in eight matches in front of their own fans too and I am eyeing up a Plzen win to nil, as well as backing them straight up in the match odds market.
The selection were not overwhelmed by a full strength Bayern side last month, losing 1-0 courtesy of Mario Mandzukic’s second half strike, and I’m more than hopeful Plzen can defy odds of around 7/5 to secure the victory.
2pts Back Plzen (vs. CSKA Moscow) @ 7/5 (various)
1pt Back Plzen To Win To Nil (vs. CSKA Moscow) @ 18/5 (Ladbrokes)