Ludogorets vs Anderlecht prediction: EUROPE: Europa Conference League – Play Offs betting tips on match 2023-02-15 20:00.
Battling with CSKA Sofia for Parva Liga honours, Ludogorets made a winning return to action following the winter break (W 2-1 vs Spartak Varna), which also served as preparation for this UEFA Europa Conference League (UECL) knockout round play-off against Anderlecht. After starting their UEFA Europa League (UEL) campaign well, they faded badly and lost their last two group games to finish third, subsequently dropping into this competition (W2, D1, L3).
Their only defeats at home this term were in Europe against Real Betis and Dinamo Zagreb, so there’ll be cautious optimism that home advantage can help them take charge of the tie. Yet their only previous meeting with a Belgian club saw them lose 2-1 to Antwerp, so history suggests they could struggle in their first post-group stage European knockout game since 2019/20.
Anderlecht are not currently in a European qualification position in Belgium’s top-flight but a four-game unbeaten run (W3, D1) suggests that could soon change and it also sets them up nicely to resume their UECL campaign. They’re also unbeaten against Bulgarian clubs (W3, D1), although those fixtures were in 1962 and 1977 respectively, when they were among Europe’s strongest sides.
That’s no longer the case although the Belgians may be eyeing the possibility of a run towards at least the quarter-finals, which they last achieved in Europe in the 2016/17 UEL. They might relish getting on the road as defeat to West Ham in October was their only European away loss this term (W3, D1), while they’re unbeaten across their last four competitive away fixtures (W3, D1). With only one of their last eight away fixtures producing over two goals, another tight affair might suit the Belgian visitors.
Players to watch: Igor Thiago netted the second goal of the game in each of Ludogorets’ last two competitive fixtures, both of which they eventually won 2-1. Another possible late difference-maker is Anderlecht’s Anders Dreyer, who struck after the 80th minute in each of their last two fixtures.
Hot stat: Anderlecht have only conceded one first-half goal since the World Cup (HT: W2, D7).