Ludogorets vs HJK prediction: EUROPE: Europa League – Group Stage betting tips on match 2022-10-12 19:00.
Ludogorets have given a solid account of themselves in UEFA Europa League (UEL) Group C (W1, D1, L1) and start the second half of the group stage with high hopes of making a first knockout appearance since 2019/20. Currently engaged in a multi-team scrap at the top of Bulgaria’s Parva Liga, they’ve just snapped a four-match winless run (D2, L2) with a 2-1 win over CSKA Sofia.
That should give them a confidence boost, as should winning both UEL home games this term (includes a qualifier) as they prepare to host a Finnish side – HJK – for the first time in European competition. Home fans have already witnessed them seeing off reigning Europa Conference League champions Roma 2-1 here, although that was their first UEL home game in five to feature three or more goals (W2, D1, L2).
The visitors recently claimed their 32nd Finnish Veikkausliiga title after a 1-0 win over Haka but must continue a three-game unbeaten run (W2, D1) if they’re to strengthen their chances of progressing in Europe. At least they’ve an unbeaten record against Bulgarian clubs to inspire them as they head south (W1, D2) culminating in last week’s 1-1 draw in Helsinki.
They produced the same result the last time they headed to Bulgaria, against Beroe Stara Zagora in a UEL qualifying game in 2016. More pertinently, they’ve scored in seven of their last eight competitive away games (W4, D2, L2) so carry a threat the hosts mustn’t ignore given a HJK win here would leave both sides level on points with two games remaining.
Players to watch: MatĂas Tessera has opened the scoring within the first ten minutes of three of Ludogorets’ last four fixtures although another potential fast starter is HJK’s Anthony Olusanya, who opened the scoring in three of his last four goalscoring outings.
Hot stat: None of HJK’s last 17 UEL games produced more goals before half-time than after (W4, D6, L7).