Plzen vs Ludogorets prediction: EUROPE: Europa League – League phase betting tips on match 2024-10-02 19:00.
[p]After a momentous 3-3 draw with Eintracht Frankfurt on matchday one of the UEFA Europa League (UEL), Viktoria PlzeÅ will look to carry forward that momentum against Ludogorets, who face Czech opposition for the second week running. Even despite never having lost any of their first 20 continental games inside 90 minutes (W15, D5) during manager Miroslav Koubekās current tenure, few would have expected PlzeÅ to return home from Germany anything but empty-handed.[/p]
[p]After six straight wins in their most recent Europa Conference League group stage, and six consecutive group-phase losses in their last Champions League campaign, a draw in Europeās second-tier competition suggests that theyāve found a happy middle ground. But following what Koubek described as āa tremendously valuable resultā against Frankfurt, they may feel ready to raise their ambitions, particularly if they can replicate their formidable domestic home form (W7, D2).Ā [/p]
[p]PlzeÅ and Ludogorets both lost to Slavia Prague in the space of five days, and for the Bulgarians, it marked their 14th defeat in 19 UEL group-stage/league-phase matches since the start of the 2020/21 season (W2, D3). While they were big outsiders against Slavia, the result was nonetheless a bitter blow, given that their progression from last termās Europa Conference League group stage was largely off the back of three home wins.[/p]
[p]However, theyāll be looking to maintain their ānew manager bounceā after unveiling Igor JoviÄeviÄ ahead of their weekend league win over Botev Vratsa (2-0). Looking several years back, Ludogoretsā first and only previous visit to PlzeÅ produced a 2-2 draw that saw them reach the Champions League group phase. That, in combination with their last UEFA away trip – a 2-1 win at Petrocub HĆ®nceČti to get into the league stage of this UEL – could be the inspiration they need to rise to the occasion here.Ā [/p]
[p]Players to watch: One of the heroes of PlzeÅās draw at Frankfurt, [url=https://www.flashscore.com/player/adu-kwabena-prince/QTKIZWgb/]Prince Kwabena Adu[/url], landed the first punch at the weekend with the opening goal in a 1-1 league draw with MladĆ” Boleslav. Meanwhile, Ludogorets forward [url=https://www.flashscore.com/player/rick/CQy26NH1/]Rick[/url] also scored on Sunday and has now directly contributed to a goal in his last four domestic appearances (G2, A3).Ā [/p]
[p]Hot streak: None of Ludogoretsā last five UEFA away games have been decided by a margin of more than a single goal.[/p]
[p][i]Written by Aaron Murphy[/i][/p]