Football experts beware: Who says the name Dieumerci Mbokani something? Those who are not watching Belgian football will probably not have heard much of the 33-year-old, even though the attacker kicked off a few years ago in the Bundesliga. The experienced striker from the Congo was loaned by the AS Monaco to VfL Wolfsburg, but Mbokani did not make it to the wolves. How do we even get that name? Very easily! The attacker is in the match between Antwerp and Viktoria Pilsen, where we want to venture a forecast in the spotlight. With a sensational run, the striker has caused a stir for weeks. In the last five games, the oldie nested eight times in total and scored at least once in every match. On the two matchdays of the Jupiter League he laced a double against Eupen and Waasland-Beveren. Now he wants to shoot his team internationally to the next success.
Antwerp is against Pilsen in the odds, at least in the first leg of the favorite. If it comes to progress, then the Czechs are preferred by the bookmakers. Pilsen finally comes from qualifying for the Champions League and has suffered on the way to the premier class bitter off against Olympiacos Piraeus. Now at least the consolation prize, the entry into the group phase of the Europa League, should succeed. The upcoming hurdle has it in itself and just at home is the FC Antwerp a dangerous adversary. The encounter will take place at the King Baudoin Stadium in Brussels, as the home ground of Antwerp does not meet the UEFA regulations. The match will be kicked off at 18:30 on Thursday evening.
Antwerp:
This is called a prelude to measure in the new season. FC Antwerp, last year’s fourth in the Jupiter League final table, was able to win 4-1 on each of the first two matchdays. Since Bruges was even more scoring way, the club occupies the second place in the classification. Both away at KAS Eupen and at home against Waasland-Beveren at the weekend, it was attacker Dieumerci Mbokani, who impressed the game with a double. The four goals of the 33-year-old should not hide the fact that the entire team of head coach Laszlo Boloni acted very well. The 4-2-3-1 system is perfectly aligned with the only Congolese center-forward who is currently using the templates of his colleagues coldly.
The good early form should now be taken into the Europa League. There Antwerp may compete thanks to the victory in the playoffs against RSC Charleroi. Including friendly games, the hosts have been undefeated for nine games and the self-confidence of Boloni protégés is great. At home, the Belgians want to present and will therefore stick to their offensive basic orientation. Between Antwerp and Viktoria Plzen a tip on the odds for “over goals” is definitely a good idea. In the last three matches of the Belgians five goals were scored and although the opponent is stronger this time, the spectators in the stadium will certainly not be bored.
Viktoria Pilsen:
For the players, this situation is always very difficult to handle mentally. The dream of the premier class and the big name is over, the disappointment is great. Nevertheless, it is important to quickly find the focus again. After qualifying for the Champions League against Olympiacos Piraeus at least the group stage of the Euro League should be achieved as a consolation.
The Czech runner-up, however, has to increase in comparison to the last few weeks. Not only the appearance in the second leg in Greece was weak, as Pilsen defeated by 0: 4, also in the league there was only a tired 0: 0 against Bohemians 1905 at the weekend, which meant the first point losses in the still young season. The offensive problems are not new and yet they were not solved in the summer break according to the current state. The two young newcomers Dominik Janosek and Ondrej Mihalik have so far brought about no significant improvement, although just Mihalik immediately got a place in the root formation.
Head coach Pavel Vrba are thus, at least in person, the hands tied and he must make the most of the available opportunities to get the optimum. A system change away from the usual 4-2-3-1 would be an option that could provide new momentum. However, a Europa League first leg is the wrong time for experimentation and so a similar eleven like the weekend in the league will try to get a good result in Belgium and then move into the next round at home next week. This means that in the forefront Michael Krmencik will storm and should provide from the perspective of the guests for the important away goals. Against Antwerp Viktoria Pilsen, this prognosis can be dared, above all defensively be demanded and Keeper Ales Hruska will accomplish a busy evening with his back team.
PREDICTION: Antwerp to win @ 2,10
