Hermanuv Mestec vs Hlinsko - Cup

A fascinating Cup chapter awaits on August 1, 2026 when Hermanuv Mestec take on Hlinsko at the home ground — two sides with plenty to play for and everything to prove. Tottenham face Aston Villa in the Premier League on Saturday.

Form and standings can only tell part of the story when Hermanuv Mestec and Hlinsko cross paths in the Cup, and pride alone should guarantee a contest. Hermanuv Mestec will be keen to seize the initiative and build some momentum on home soil. Hlinsko will travel with intent, knowing that a positive result here could kick-start their campaign. The Saudi Pro League side have now placed a €45 million package on the table, while Watkins himself is understood to be open to making the move.

Pressing intensity will define the contest. Hermanuv Mestec will seek to win the ball high up the pitch and suffocate Hlinsko's build-up, while the visitors will aim to play through the pressure and exploit the spaces it leaves behind. No wonder the skipper had talked of a 'new Aston Villa' in the pre-match press conference with what seemed like genuine excitement.

Neither side is short on individuals capable of tilting the balance, and the duel between the two squads' chief creators could prove particularly pivotal. The wide areas will be a key battleground, with full-backs and wingers on either side capable of swinging the contest one way or the other. The Eagles have reportedly submitted an offer to sign the player.It remains to be seen whether Crystal Palace’s interest prompts Liverpool or Manchester United to come forward with an official proposal.

Without the market to lean on, the contest feels genuinely open — and the outcome may come down to which side handles the occasion better. A share of the spoils looks the most probable outcome, with neither side holding a decisive edge — a 1-1 draw feels like a fitting result. With the standings tight and form on the line, this is a fixture neither side will want to lose. And Fonseca does not place too much weight on the decision of Roberto Martinez to omit him from the World Cup squad in favour of his Benfica team-mate Tomas Araujo.