4 th round: Miroslav Koubek leads Plzeň in first game as coach
The 4th round of the SYNOT liga throws up some intetersting matches. Sparta welcome arch rivals Baník Ostrava, Slavia take on Teplice and Bohemians face Jablonec at Ďoľíček. New Plzeň coach Koubek will be looking for a result against league newcomers Hradec Králové.
FC Slovan Liberec - FK Dukla Praha (Friday, 18:00)
The first game of the 4th round kicks off with the duel
between Liberec and Dukla Praha.
Liberec have not had a great start to the season. Their defense has experienced significant
problems since the departure of Radsolav Kovač and captain Jan Rajnoch needs to
get the side to work together as a team.
Dukla will prove difficult oppositon with a reputation for an almost
water-tight defence, which has seen goalkeeper Martin Chudý concede only one
goal in three games. Does Liberec have
the key to unlock the Dukla defense?
AC
Sparta Praha - FC Baník Ostrava (Friday, 20:20)
Clashes
between Sparta and Baník have always been a magnet for fans and Friday’s match
will be no different. Sparta will want
to make up for their disappointing performance against Malmö in the Champions
League with three points against Baník. If Baník can
neutralise striker Lafata, they at least stand a chance of walking away with a
draw.
FK Mladá Boleslav - 1. FK Příbram (Saturday, 17:00)
The match
between Mladá Boleslav and Příbram will be particularly interesting for home
keeper Aleš Hruška. Having been captain
of Příbram last season, he now faces Boleslav a rival. At the beginning of the season, Boleslav
would have started favourites but their disppointing results so far this season
may open the door for Příbram. Boleslav
ccach Karel Jarolím will be looking for a better offensive performance from his
side.
FC Zbrojovka Brno - SK Dynamo České Budějovice (Saturday, 17:00)
Newcomers to the league, České Budějovice come into the match on the back of
their 4:0 thrashing by Plzeň last week.
They have a chance of restoring their pride against Brno, who have won
only one of their last seven matches.
In their last meeting on 21st
November,2009, Budějovice emerged 3:0 winners and hope to spring the same surprise on
Saturday.
1.FC Slovácko - FC Vysočina Jihlava (Saturday, 17:00)
On paper, Slovácko are the favourites going into the match, having taken
four points so far in the league this season.
In contrast, Jihlava have yet to notch up any points after three
rounds. After their defeat at the hands
of Bohemians, coach Petr Rada was critical of the team including striker Haris
Harba, who has failed to find the back of the net so far this season. Can Jihlava break their goal fast against
Slovácko, who start without the injured Libor Došek?
Bohemians Praha 1905 - FK Baumit Jablonec (Saturday, 17:00)
Saturday also sees Bohemians 1905 welcome Jablonec at Ďolíček. The guests have some bold goals this season,
having strengthened their side over the summer, but they have yet to prove
themselves on the pitch. Bohemians
confidence is high after their win in Jihlava last week. However, at home against Jablonec,
Bohemians have not beaten Jablonec in the last eight matches in a row and lost
the last four.
FK Teplice - SK Slavia Praha (Saturday, 20:15)
Fans will remember last season when Teplice put seven goals past their rivals
Slavia, but this season the situation is somewhat different. Under coach Miroslav Beránek, Slavia have
collected full points this season and are level at the top of the table with
Sparta. Can Slavia continue their
winning streak or will Teplice stop them in their tracks?
The final match of the round sees Viktoria Plzeň take on newcomers Hradec Králové. This will be Plzeň’s first match under new coach Miroslav Koubek, who will want to prove a point. Hradec have been lacking in attack and have yet to find the back of the net this season. Plzeň are surely the favourites on paper and any other result than a win would be a surprise.
PHOTO: ČTK