Ludogorets vs Servette prediction: EUROPE: Europa Conference League – Play Offs betting tips on match 2024-02-21 17:45.
After earning a 0-0 draw last Thursday in Switzerland in their UEFA Europa Conference League knockout round first leg, reigning Bulgarian league champions Ludogorets will fancy their chances of reaching the last 16 as they head home to face Servette. After being heavily outshot by their opponents, a return to Huvepharma Arena could prove fruitful for the hosts, as theyāve won each of their last four competitive matches on their own patch, keeping a clean sheet on three of those occasions.
One of those home victories was a 1-0 success over Danish outfit NordsjƦlland in the Conference League, while all four of their home fixtures in this competition overall have seen them win āto nilā, which should inspire significant confidence heading into this one. The Eagles will now be aiming to progress to the last 16 of a European competition for the first time since 2013/14, after falling at this hurdle on penalties to Anderlecht last season.
Servette will be harbouring other ideas though, and after securing a late 2-1 victory against Lugano at the weekend in top-flight domestic action, theyāll make the long trip to Bulgaria in high spirits. That latest result made it just one loss across their last eight games (W4, D3) as they look to reach the last 16 of a European competition for the first time since the 2001/02 UEFA Cup.
With the 0-0 reverse scoreline Servetteās only clean sheet across their last four matches, more defensive solidity will be needed here. Whether that will actually materialise is another matter however, as the visitors failed to win any of their three group-stage away encounters in the Europa League this term (D1, L2), conceding nine times in the process before dropping into this competition!
Players to watch: Ludogoretsā Bernard Tekpetey has netted 11 competitive goals in 2023/24, with three of his last four serving as the Bulgariansā opener. Servetteās BendegĆŗz Bolla struck that late winner at the weekend against Lugano, meaning that his last four goals have all been his sideās last of the game.
Hot stat: Ludogorets have picked up 22 yellow cards in the Europa Conference League this campaign – the second-highest figure in the competition.