Ljubljana vs. Ludogorets: preview and betting tips

The second leg of the Champions League second round is scheduled for Tuesday. Olimpija Ljubljana brought back from Bulgaria a promising 1-1 draw against the favoured Razgrad, what to expect from the rematch and what to bet on?

Ljubljana are going through the season on a high so far. They won both matches of the first round, got a very valuable draw in Razgrad, lost only once in the league and have only three points after two rounds.

Ludogorets obviously attaches great importance to the rematch. It has postponed the league round and hopes to confirm its role as favourite away from home and secure at least the Conference League. Unlike Ljubljana, it is used to playing cups regularly.

Ljubljana’s key figures

Rui Pedro shines for the home side, the Portuguese forward has netted three goals and assisted once in five games. The Israeli summer signing has scored three goals from midfield, paying off for the club so far given the zero investment.

Ludogorets’ key figures

Ghanaian winger Bernard Tekpetey is the visitors’ super-sub, with four strikes every 46 minutes on average. Toronto-born Bulgarian Dominik Yankov shines in midfield, netting three goals.

What to expect and what to bet on?

Ljubljana is scoring quite a few goals, but defensively they are far from 100 percent. It has kept a clean sheet in only one of its past seven games, and last year as league champion it scored more than once per game on average.

Razgrad has played one less competitive game, yet the offense looks rote. It maintains an average of 2.5 goals per game, while two weeks ago it gave the Kosovo champion a four after an away loss to Ballkani at home.

Considering Ljubljana’s defensive woes, on the other hand, the Bulgarian champion’s rampant offense, as well as Razgrad’s experience in Europe in recent years, I think the visitors will advance to the third preliminary round.