Viktoria Plzen vs Hearts Prediction: In-form frontman Vasulin to break Hearts

Hearts are in action on Thursday evening as the Edinburgh side make the trip to face six-time Czech champions Viktoria Plzen in the first leg of their Europa League play-off round tie.

Read on for my Viktoria Plzen vs Hearts prediction as well as the latest team news and match odds.

Football Odds

A place in the league phase of the new look Europa League is at stake, with the winners guaranteed eight more games in European competition as heavyweights such as Manchester United, Roma and Lazio enter the fray.

After a slow start domestically, Jambos boss Steven Naismith would dearly love a pick-me-up at the Doosan Arena in Plzen but he may well be in for more misery.

Team News

Naismith has made the journey without injured duo Calem Nieuwenhof and Beni Baningime while new signing Andres Salazar isn't going to be involved in the first leg. Frankie Kent missed Saturday's League Cup loss to Falkirk with a toe infection and the Hearts boss has suggested he has a chance of returning here.

The home side look set to be without 20-year-old forward Christophe Kabongo due to a knee problem while Cheick Souare, Jan Sykora, Lukas Hejda, Martin Jedlicka are all rated doubtful for this game.

Viktoria Plzen vs Hearts Odds

Viktoria Plzen are favourites at 2/5 to get a first leg advantage on home soil, while Hearts are priced at 11/2 for the victory and the 90 minute draw is 16/5.

Both teams to score is rated a 4/5 chance, while Hearts are 7/4 with +1 handicap start. The Scottish Premiership side are 9/4 to win either half.

Viktoria Plzen to score in both halves @ 11/10

Having faith in Hearts for this away-day is tough. They've won just five away games in UEFA competitions since 2000 and are in fairly dismal form.

In their final pre-season outings Hearts were beaten by Leyton Orient, Tottenham and Fleetwood, conceding 10 and scoring two.

They opened domestically with a scoreless draw against Rangers at Tynecastle, though that was a contest in which the Light Blues were very wasteful.

A 3-1 reverse at Dundee followed and then a League Cup ousting from Championship side Falkirk. It doesn't bode well.

Plzen have won four out of five in the Czech top flight, conceding just one goal. With Hearts in disarray, take the hosts to find the net at least once in each half.

Bet Builder - Daniel Vasulin score anytime, Viktoria Plzen win, Total goals - Over 2.5 @ 9/4

Plzen took care of Kryvbas in their opening Europa League qualifier, winning both legs with striker Daniel Vasulin getting his name on the scoresheet in both matches.

The 26-year-old also netted in a 5-0 league win over Karvina in between, making it three-in-three for him prior to starting on the bench and being brought on at half-time in the more recent 3-0 win over Ceske Budejovice in the league.

With concerns about the defensive resolve and confidence levels in the Hearts ranks, it's worth siding with the near 6ft 4" frontman to do some damage again.

He's part of a solid Bet Builder that also seeks a home win and over 2.5 Total Goals in this first leg.

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