Anderlecht vs Ludogorets prediction: EUROPE: Europa Conference League – Play Offs betting tips on match 2023-02-22 17:45.
With a place in the last 16 of the UEFA Europa Conference League (UECL) on the line, Anderlecht have it all to do after losing the first leg 1-0 in Bulgaria last week. It’s been six years since the Belgian side last reached that stage in continental action, and to repeat the act they’ll need to overturn a first-leg deficit in a European knockout game for the first time since 2002/03.
Finding some form in front of goal will be key to upsetting the odds as the six goals the Belgian side managed in the UECL group stage was the second-lowest of any side to progress, only behind Cluj (five). Home comforts are unlikely to inspire confidence either, with Anderlecht victorious in just two of their last ten games on their own turf (D2, L6).
Ludogorets are looking to end an even longer wait for an appearance in the final 16, last reaching that stage in Europe back in 2013/14! Their gutsy display in the first leg handed them the advantage ahead of this tie, and the Bulgarian outfit received a further boost by winning at the weekend, although they needed a 93rd minute strike to beat Slavia Sofia.
Ante Šimundža’s men have every reason to be confident having won three competitive matches on the spin since their season restarted, while all of their last four competitive away games also ended in victories. They’ve never won in Belgium though (L1), and Ludogorets were also winless from their three road trips in the Europa League group stage (D1, L2), so this is unlikely to be a straightforward assignment.
Players to watch: January signing Anders Dreyer could pose the main threat for Anderlecht, having directly contributed to four goals in seven appearances since his arrival (G3, A1). Matchwinner in the first leg, Ludogorets’ Igor Thiago has been on the winning side in all seven of his goalscoring appearances this term.
Hot stat: Ludogorets have conceded just four league goals before half-time this season, and just two before the interval in their UEL group campaign.