Vlašim vs Viktoria Žižkov - FNL

The history between Vlašim and Viktoria Žižkov lends this FNL fixture an extra layer of spice, and when the two walk out at the home ground on August 7, 2026, recent encounters will be on everyone's mind. It has not been a daunting fixture list but there are signs that Mourinho has found a way to get the best from an increasingly stacked Madrid squad.

The two sides arrive with plenty to prove, and the FNL contest at the home ground offers a chance to lay down a marker. The hosts will hope that the the home ground crowd can inspire a performance, whatever the numbers suggest. The visitors will travel in the hope that a change of scene can spark a turnaround, whatever the form book says. In terms of net spend, Liverpool topped the table with £219.4m, followed by Ipswich (£190.7m), Spurs (£176m) and Hull (£160.5m).

Stylistically, this is a compelling matchup. Vlašim favour a patient, possession-based approach, whereas Viktoria Žižkov are at their most dangerous when allowed to hit quickly on the counter. Andoni Iraola, like Luis Enrique, is a coach who demands that his players press high.

The fixture is likely to be shaped by its key performers, with creative midfielders and clinical finishers on both sides capable of turning the game in an instant. Set-piece specialists and aerial threats on both sides mean dead-ball situations could carry outsized importance. According to the figures from the World Cup, only Kylian Mbappe scored more goals and produced more direct goal contributions than Messi, who finished with eight goals and 12 goal involvements while also recording four assists.

The market has yet to form a strong view, and the contest looks genuinely difficult to call. Neither side holds a clear edge, and a 1-1 draw would be a fitting reflection of the balance between them. The result at the home ground could resonate well beyond matchday in the FNL picture. Manchester City will begin another Premier League season with major uncertainty hanging over the club after league chief executive Richard Masters admitted the long-awaited verdict on their financial case has taken longer than expected.