Europa League | League Stage

Sep 25, 2024 at 8pm UK

Huvepharma Arena (Razgrad)

Ludogorets vs Slavia Prague

Match preview

After falling out of the qualification stages for the revamped Champions League in the summer, Ludogorets Razgrad ensured that they would feature in UEFA's second-tier club competition this season, beating Moldovan outfit Petrocub 6-1 over two legs during a playoff tie.

Since a 2-1 win in Moldova on August 29 in the second leg, the Eagles have enjoyed a four-game unbeaten run in the Bulgarian Professional League, collecting a healthy tally of 10 points from a quartet of top-flight contests, meaning that they are in good form ahead of Wednesday night.

Ludogorets managed to extend their unbeaten domestic streak at the beginning of this season to seven games on Saturday afternoon, when goals either side of the half-time whistle from Spas Delev and Rwan Cruz sealed a comfortable 2-0 success over strugglers Lokomotiv Sofia.

Finding the net on 19 occasions across all competitions last season, including two strikes in the Conference League, Brazilian starlet Cruz is the main source of attacking inspiration for the Eagles, who will be targeting a top-24 finish as the minimum in the League Phase of the Europa League.

Promoted from second-team coach to the senior squad in August, Zahari Sirakov has enjoyed an unbeaten start to life in the permanent hotseat of Ludogorets, with the 46-year-old winning seven and drawing one of his first eight matches in charge across all competitions.

Finishing second in the Czech first division during the 2023-24 campaign - behind local rivals and champions Sparta Prague - Slavia Prague were handed the chance to advance into the Champions League Group Phase via the playoffs, although they were unable to get the better of Ligue 1 outfit Lille.

As a result, the Red and Whites are competing for their first-ever continental honour in the second tier of UEFA's club structure this season, facing tough tests against the likes of Ajax, Eintracht Frankfurt, Fenerbahce and Athletic Bilbao before the welcoming of the New Year.

Following their exit from the Champions League at the hands of Jonathan David and company, Slavia Prague have strung together a run of three straight wins on the domestic scene, making the net ripple on seven occasions across the trio of matches without conceding.

The latest of those successes arrived on Saturday afternoon, when the Red and Whites laid down a serious marker in their quest for Czech supremacy, with goals from Jan Boril, Tomas Chory and Lukas Provod securing a three-goal victory over title challengers Viktoria Plzen at Fortuna Arena.

Recent Performance

Ludogorets Razgrad Europa League form:WW

Ludogorets Razgrad form (all competitions):WWDWWW

Slavia Prague form (all competitions):WLWWWW

Injuries and suspensions

Ludogorets Razgrad

3 Anton Nedyalkov

37 Bernard Tekpetey

Slavia Prague

36 Jindrich Stanek

27 Tomas Vlcek

21 David Doudera

8 Lukas Masopust

22 Lukas Vorlicky

26 Ivan Schranz

Possible starting lineups

Ludogorets Razgrad(4-2-3-1)

39Hendrik Bonmann(GK)

16Aslak Witry(DR)

15Edvin Kurtulus(DC)

24Olivier Verdon(DC)

76Ivan Yordanov(DL)

23Deroy Duarte(MD)

30Pedro Naressi(MD)

11Caio(AMR)

20Aguibou Camara(AMC)

90Spas Delev(AML)

12Rwan Cruz(FW)

Slavia Prague(3-4-2-1)

31Antonín Kinsky(GK)

21David Doudera(MR)

5Igoh Ogbu(DC)

18Jan Boril(DC)

3Tomás Holes(DC)

12 Diouf (ML)

10Christos Zafeiris(MD)

19Oscar Dorley(MD)

17Lukás Provod(AMC)

13Mojmír Chytil(AMC)

25Tomás Chory(FW)