The match of matchday 8 of the group stage of the Europa League 2025/26 between Basel (Switzerland) and Viktoria Plzeň (Czech Republic) will take place on 29 january at St. Jakob-Park stadium. Basel vs Viktoria Plzeň: prediction, betting odds and statistics.
Basel
Basel started the first half of the group stage alternating wins and losses, and things became noticeably harder afterwards. Last Thursday the team lost away to Salzburg (1:3), meaning the club failed to pick up points for the third consecutive European match. Overall the hosts have lost 5 of their last 7 matches in this season's Europa League, collecting only 6 points in that period. The squad sits 27th in the table and still has a chance to reach the play-offs, but that is achievable strictly on the condition of a win over Viktoria Plzeň, and even with a favorable result competitors must slip up. It should be noted that Basel changed their head coach: Stefan Lichtsteiner now leads the team instead of Ludovic Magnin, having previously worked with the club's youth squads.
- The team has scored in four Europa League matches in a row.
- The Swiss side's uncompromising run in this competition spans 19 matches (11 wins, 8 defeats).
- Basel have conceded at least two goals in 7 of their last 9 Europa League games.
Potential Basel Lineup (4-5-1)*
Marvin Hitz – Dominik Schmid, Flavius Daniliuc, Jonas Ajeti, Kevin Rüegg – Marin Šotiček, Andrei Bachanin, Leo Leroy, Beni Traoré, Xherdan Shaqiri – Caio Eduardo.
Defender Keigo Tsunemoto, as well as midfielders Metinho and Filip Otelé, are injured.
Viktoria Plzeň
Viktoria Plzeň remain one of three teams that are still unbeaten in the current Europa League campaign. However, five of their seven matches in this competition have finished level, and before travelling to Basel the visitors shared the points in four games in a row. Although last week the club came very close to beating Porto, the opponent salvaged a point by equalising in the 90th minute (1:1). As a result of that match Viktoria Plzeň secured a place in the knockout stage, but avoiding the play-offs is almost impossible. The away side trail the 8th place by 3 points, and there are still several competitors ahead.
- Since the start of this Europa League edition the team have conceded a total of 3 goals — the best record alongside Lyon and Freiburg.
- The Czechs have recorded wins with a +1.5 handicap in five away games in this European competition.
- No more than two goals were scored in 5 of Viktoria Plzeň's last 7 Europa League matches.
Potential Viktoria Plzeň Lineup (4-3-3)*
Florent Hegele – Amar Memic, Svetozar Markovic, Václav Jemelka, Karel Spacil – Lukáš Červ, Matěj Valenta, Tomáš Ladra – Matěj Vydra, Rafiu Durosinmi, Prince Kwabena Adu.
Defenders Sampson Dwe and Václav Jemelka have served suspensions.
Basel vs Viktoria Plzeň: Match Prediction
Basel have seriously complicated their situation ahead of the final matchday of the group stage. Initially the club at least won every second Europa League match, but now the Swiss side have an unpleasant run of three consecutive defeats. The team desperately needs a win, yet Basel have collected only 6 points from their past 7 European matches, losing 5 of those 7 games.
Viktoria Plzeň, meanwhile, remain one of three teams that have yet to lose in the main phase of the Europa League. Although the Czechs have accumulated five draws after seven rounds, we have not yet seen the club being close to defeat. On the contrary, there are examples when Viktoria Plzeň themselves could have won but surrendered advantage in the final minutes.
It is quite likely that the visitors will finish the group stage of the Europa League without a defeat.
Prediction: Viktoria Plzeň Win Or Draw
* The starting lineup listed for each team corresponds to its previous match in this tournament.
