Czech Republic vs Armenia: Preview and Prediction

By

 Stefan Altenbach

Czech Republic vs Armenia
International Friendly.
Date: Wednesday; 31-August-2016
Kick-off: 18:15 UK
Venue: Mestsky Stadium (Mlada Boleslav).

Czech Republic start their life with their new head-coach Karel Jarolim with a friendly against Armenia at the Mestsky stadium on Wednesday evening.

Czech Republic had a disappointing Euro 2016 campaign where they finished bottom of their group after failing to win a single match. Now Pavel Vrba is relieved of his duties and Karel Jarolim is installed as their new manager. Petr Cech, the most capped player with 121 appearances has also announced his retirement from international football after the European Championship.

Armenia have never qualified for a major tournament and they will be hopeful to upset some major names when the 2018 FIFA World Cup campaign kick-of on 4th September.Manchester United midfielder Henrikh Mkhitaryan is their captain and the most influential player. He is also their top scorer with 19 goals. Varuzhan Sukiasyan took over as head-coach of Armenia on December 2015 and he guided the team to two wins from three friendlies. However, those wins were against Central American minnows El Salvador 4-0 and Guatemala 7-1.

Czech Republic vs Armenia: Head-to-Head

Armenia earned a shock 2-1 away win when these two met for the last time at the Eden Arena on September 2013 for the 2014 World Cup qualification fixture.

Czech Republic were winners in the previous three competitive meetings scoring 10 goals against 1 conceded.

This will be the first time that Czech Republic and Armenia are meeting in an official friendly game.

Czech Republic vs Armenia: Prediction

Since this is a friendly game, both teams are expected to use the opportunity to perfect their team combination ahead of the World Cup qualifiers that start on 4th August.

However, Czech Republic are in search for of a morale boosting win and they are expected to take the attack to the Armenians. Also they are a better quality side and will be keen to seek revenge for the home defeat they suffered in the last meeting.

The match is expected to see plenty of goals as each of the four meetings between these sides have seen over 2.5 goals. I will be also backing my correct score prediction of a 3-1 win at odds.