Wisla Plock vs Rakow Czestochowa on 1 February
The Superleague is heating up, and on February 1st, the stage is set for an intense clash between Wisła Płock and Raków Częstochowa. The match will take place at the Stadion im. Kazimierza Górskiego in Płock, where both sides will be aiming to take critical points in their pursuit of their respective season objectives. For Wisła Płock, it’s about pushing for a top-half finish, while Raków Częstochowa looks to maintain their challenge at the top. Both teams enter the game in contrasting forms, and this match promises to be a thrilling tactical battle. With just three points separating them, the stakes are high as they face off under potentially challenging weather conditions.
Wisła Płock: Tactical Approach and Current Form
Wisła Płock has had a mixed bag of results in their last five games, recording two wins, two losses, and one draw. Their form at home has been solid, but their overall inconsistency this season leaves room for improvement. Their current tactical setup is characterized by a 4-2-3-1 formation, relying on solid defensive stability and quick transitions in attack. With an average possession rate of 47%, Wisła prefers to absorb pressure and strike on the counter, making use of the pace on the wings. They have excelled in creating chances through wide play, with wingers often tasked with stretching the opposition and delivering crosses into the box.
Statistically, Wisła's pressing actions in the final third have been their strongest point, with an impressive 8.2 interceptions per game. However, their low pass accuracy (72%) means that they often rely on fast breaks rather than sustained possession play. Their defensive organization has been relatively stable, conceding only 1.1 goals per match, but they need to improve their finishing—currently posting a modest xG of 1.2 per game.
Key players like Dominik Furman, the captain, remain integral to their build-up play from midfield, while Łukasz Sekulski’s aerial presence in attack will be pivotal. Unfortunately, they’ll be missing the services of injured midfielder Rafał Wolski, which weakens their creativity in midfield.
Raków Częstochowa: Tactical Approach and Current Form
Raków Częstochowa has been in excellent form over the last five games, winning four and drawing one. They have firmly established themselves as one of the best teams in the Superleague, boasting the league's highest average possession at 58%. Their style of play is more possession-oriented than their opponents', with a preference for building from the back and dominating the ball in the middle third. Raków operates in a 4-3-3 setup, with an emphasis on controlling the midfield and creating overloads in wide areas.
Their passing accuracy (84%) reflects their commitment to keeping possession and maintaining fluid attacking transitions. With an xG of 1.6 per match, Raków has been efficient in front of goal, making the most of their opportunities through incisive, quick passes in the final third. Defensively, Raków is organized, with a strong high-pressing game that forces turnovers and limits opponents' chances. Their average of 10.1 pressing actions per game is among the best in the league.
Crucially, Raków’s key players, especially the attacking trio of Ivi López, Vladislavs Gutkovskis, and Kamil Piątkowski, have been in fine form. López, in particular, is the playmaker who can unlock any defense with his vision and creativity. Piątkowski’s defensive contributions will be key to stopping Wisła’s counterattacks, while Gutkovskis’ goal-scoring ability provides a constant threat. Raków's only injury concern is midfielder Fran Tudor, who is recovering from a slight knock, but he may still feature depending on his fitness.
Head-to-Head: History and Psychology
The last five encounters between Wisła Płock and Raków Częstochowa have seen a consistent dominance from Raków, with four wins and one draw. Wisła Płock has struggled to break down Raków’s defense, losing 3-1 in their last meeting, which took place in September 2025. The psychological edge clearly lies with Raków, who have not lost to Wisła in their last eight meetings, which will likely weigh heavily on Wisła’s mindset heading into this match. Raków’s dominance in both possession and tactical discipline has been the defining feature in their recent victories.
The tactical battle has often been between Wisła’s defensive solidity and Raków’s creative attacking play, with Raków controlling the tempo of the game and Wisła struggling to keep up. The last time Wisła was able to earn a point against Raków was in March 2024, in a goalless draw at home, which serves as their best hope of achieving a similar result this time around.
Key Battles and Critical Zones
One of the most critical battles will be in the midfield, where Wisła’s Furman faces Raków’s highly effective midfield trio of López, Tudor (if fit), and Andrzej Niewulis. Furman’s ability to control tempo and disrupt Raków’s rhythm will be vital in limiting their attacking freedom. If Raków can dominate this area, Wisła will struggle to break out of their defensive shape.
Another key area will be the battle between Wisła’s wide players and Raków’s full-backs. Wisła’s wingers, particularly when they transition quickly, could pose a threat to Raków’s defense, which sometimes struggles against quick counter-attacks. Raków’s full-backs, however, are extremely mobile and tend to get forward in support of the attack, so their defensive positioning will be crucial in avoiding counterattacks from Wisła’s pacey wingers.
Finally, the aerial duel between Wisła’s Sekulski and Raków’s central defenders will play a significant role. Sekulski’s height and aerial prowess make him a threat on set pieces and crosses, so Raków’s defenders must be well-organized to avoid conceding goals from these situations.
Match Scenario and Prediction
Given Raków’s impressive form and superior overall tactical setup, they will likely look to dominate possession from the outset and control the tempo of the game. Wisła, on the other hand, will likely sit back, absorb pressure, and look to hit on the counter. The key for Wisła will be to frustrate Raków early and limit their chances, particularly in the first 30 minutes.
Raków’s pressing game will force Wisła into mistakes, but the big question will be whether Wisła can exploit any defensive lapses when Raków’s full-backs push forward. With the match being played at Wisła’s home ground, there is always the potential for an upset, but Raków’s clinical attacking ability and overall superior squad depth should give them the edge in this contest.
Prediction: Raków Częstochowa to win 2-1, with both teams to score. Look out for a strong performance from López and Gutkovskis, with Wisła pushing hard for a goal on the counter.
Final Thoughts
This match will come down to whether Wisła Płock can disrupt Raków’s possession game and create opportunities on the counter. Raków’s attacking talent and pressing game should give them the advantage, but if Wisła can remain compact defensively and exploit Raków’s forward movements, an upset isn’t out of the question. Will Raków maintain their dominance, or can Wisła rise to the occasion and create a memorable result at home? The answer to that question will define the trajectory of both teams’ seasons.
