Ludogorets Razgrad vs FK Zalgiris Match Analysis and Prediction

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Ludogorets Razgrad and FK Zalgiris will have an encounter in the first leg of their Europa League qualifying playoff tie at the Huvepharma Arena on Thursday.

Having both seen their Champions League hopes come to an end, the teams will be keen to avoid missing out on Europe’s secondary club competition.

Ludogorets Razgrad suffered a 4-2 defea in the return fixture of the Champions League qualifier against Dinamo Zagreb at the Stadion Maksimir.

They were left with a mountain to climb at half time as they trailed through Josip Drmic’s opener and Mislav Orsic’s double, after which Kiril Despodov pulled back two goals only for Bruno Petkovic to put the game to rest in the 87th minute.

Coming up next for Ante Simundza’s side is a contest against a Zalgiris side who were defeated 5-3 over two legs when the the teams met back in 2017.

With clean sheets in five of their last six home matches, the Eagles will be looking to keep it tight at the back on their way to another positive result on their home turf.

Following a 5-0 defeat at the hands of Bodo/Glimt in the first leg of their Champions League tie, Zalgiris had little to play for in last Tuesday’s second leg which ended in a 1-1 draw.

The Green Whites did however claim a 5-1 victory over Riteriai in the subsequent league game on Sunday at the LFF Stadionas.

As a result, Vladimir Cheburin’s side remain top of the A Lyga, level on points with nearest challangers Hegelmann although having played four game fewer.

With just one defeat in 14 matches on the road since the turn of the year, FK Zalgiris now look to add another feather to their cap away from home to help preserve their already diminished European ambition.

Ludogorets Razgrad vs FK Zalgiris head to head

The two teams have previously met on just two occasions in the Champions League back in 2017, where they claimed a victory each. Ludogorets scored five goals and conceded three in the process. They now meet for the first time in the first leg of their Europa League qualifying playoff tie.

Zalgiris 2-1 Ludogorets 12/07/17

Ludogorets 4-1 Zalgiris 19/07/17

Ludogorets Razgrad latest home form

Ludogorets Razgrad lost 2-1 to Dinamo Zagreb in their last home game in the Champions League. However, they have recently been on a good run of form at home, having won each of the previous 10 matches. In their last five matches, they have scored 13 goals and conceded just two.

Ludogorets 2-0 Sutjeska 05/07/22

Ludogorets 2-0 Lokomotiv Plovdiv 15/07/22

Ludogorets 3-0 Shamrock Rovers 19/07/22

Ludogorets 5-0 Spartak Varna 29/07/22

Ludogorets 1-2 Dinamo Zagreb 02/08/22

Ludogorets Razgrad latest away form

Ludogorets Razgrad have recently failed to keep a good run of form on the road, having won just two of their six most recent matches. They lost 4-2 to Dinamo Zagreb in their last away game in the Champions League. In their last five matches, they have scored nine goals and conceded eight.

Septemvri Sofia 0-3 Ludogorets 08/07/22

Sutjeska 0-1 Ludogorets 12/07/22

CSKA 1948 Sofia 2-2 Ludogorets 22/07/22

Shamrock Rovers 2-1 Ludogorets 26/07/22

Dinamo Zagreb 4-2 Ludogorets 09/08/22

FK Zalgiris latest home form

FK Zalgiris have recently been on a good run of form at home, having been unbeaten in their six most recent matches. They drew 1-1 with Bodo/Glimt in their last home game in the Champions League. In their last five matches, they have scored seven goals and conceded just three.

Zalgiris 2-1 Hegelmann Litauen 01/07/22

Zalgiris (E)1-0 Ballkani 12/07/22

Zalgiris 1-0 Malmo 19/07/22

Zalgiris 2-1 Banga 06/08/22

Zalgiris 1-1 Bodo/Glimt 09/08/22

FK Zalgiris latest away form

FK Zalgiris have recently been on a relatively good run of form on the road, having lost just one of their five most recent matches. They defeated Riteriai 5-1 in their last away game in the league. In their last five matches, they have scored 13 goals and conceded six.

Suduva 0-5 Zalgiris 26/06/22

Balkani 1-1 Zalgiris 05/07/22

Malmo 0-2 Zalgiris 27/07/22

Bodo/Glimt 5-0 Zalgiris 03/08/22

Riteriai 1-5 Zalgiris 14/08/22

Ludogorets Razgrad news

Zan Karnicnik, Dominik Yankov and Rick were all sent off in Ludogorets’s last European involvement, and the trio will remain suspended for Thursday’s contest.

Kiril Despodov was at the double in the game against Dinamo Zagreb, and he will be looking to deliver the goods for the home side once again.

FK Zalgiris news

Petar Mamic will not play any part for Zalgiris in the first leg after the defender received his marching orders in the 1-1 draw against Bodo/Glimt.

Renan Olivera has scored three goals in his last three away matches for the visitors, making the forward one to keep an eye on in this contest.

Prediction and Odds

Ludogorets Razgrad know that they must capitalise on playing in front of their supporters if they are to be in the lead of the tie ahead of next week’s second leg.

We are backing the Eagles to secure a first-leg avdantage, although with a narrow marging, one which the will defend next week.

Odds: 1 2.10 X 2.05 2 2.28