Ludogorets Razgrad vs. Servette

February 22, 2024

Ludogorets Razgrad take on Servette in the second leg of the UEFA Europa Conference League Knockout Round Play-Offs.

Servette and Ludogorets Razgrad played out a goalless first leg at the Stade de Genève last Thursday when the Swiss side dominated but failed to convert any of their scoring chances.

Ludogorets Razgrad Betting Preview (+100 at Everygame)

Having won the Bulgarian Super Cup for a record seventh time after a penalty shootout victory over CSKA 1948 earlier this month, The Eagles are now aiming to continue their unbeaten run when they take on Servette in the second leg of their Europa Conference League tie.

It was a promising start to the week for Ludogorets Razgrad who beat Cherno More to overtake them and reclaim Bulgarian First League top spot. Yet, Georgi Dermendzhiev's side are level on 45 points with the Sailors in second and CSKA-Sofia in third, though Ludogorets still have a postponed game in hand.

Georgi Dermendzhiev fielded a strong lineup against Cherno More as the reigning champions were not in position to underestimate their opponents, who were first during the long winter break in Bulgarian football.

The Ludogorets Razgrad head coach could make two changes to the starting XI he selected in Geneva, with Brazilian winger Caio Vidal and Swiss forward Kwadwo Duah likely to drop out.

Brazilian winger Rick Jhonatan and his fellow countryman Rwan Cruz are tipped to start instead, with the pair impressing against Cherno More on Monday. Rwan Cruz bagged a brace to inspire Ludogorets Razgrad's comeback win and he also assisted for the third goal.

Polish midfielder Jakub Piotrowski should start in a more advanced role, while Pedro Naressi is set to partner Claude Goncalves in the middle of the park.

Captain Anton Nedyalkov is still recovering from yet another injury setback and he joins Marcel Heister on the sidelines. Winter arrival Ivaylo Chochev is also ineligible for the European games.

Servette Betting Preview (+265 at Everygame)

The Maroons finished second in the Swiss Super League last season and they're aiming to at least repeat the same performance at the end of 2023-24. They are once again second in the table, seven points behind current leaders and defending champions Young Boys.

Like their Bulgarian opponents, Servette started their European campaign from the Champions League qualifying where they eliminated Belgian side Genk but then lost to Rangers 3-2 on aggregate in the third qualifying round.

René Weiler's side claimed a 2-1 comeback win over FC Lugano on Sunday afternoon. Late goals from Miroslav Stevanovic and substitute Bendegúz Bolla sealed Servette's first home win over FC Lugano since 2015.

In contrast with their home form, Servette haven't been that great on the road. They have won just one of their last six away games in all competitions (1-3-2) and they need a positive result on their trip to Bulgaria.

Of course, a draw is also an acceptable outcome as the game will go into extra time and Servette have already beat Belgian side Genk on penalties in the Champions League qualifying in August.

In fact, Servette finished third in Group G of the Europa League this season, with just one win in six matches (1-2-3 record) and only four goals scored (three of them against Sheriff Tiraspol). As a result, Servette advanced to the Europa Conference League knockout round play-offs and they will be eager to go even further.

French midfielder David Douline is injured and did not travel to Razgrad so René Weiler will likely field the same side that started the first leg.

Meanwhile, winter signings Omar Rekik, Takuma Nishimura and Bassirou N'Diaye have not been registered and are ineligible to play for Servette (even in domestic games) due to an administrative error.

Possible Starting Lineups of Ludogorets Razgrad and Servette

Ludogorets Razgrad: Sergio Padt - Aslak Fonn Witry, Noah Sonko Sundberg, Olivier Verdon, Son - Pedro Naressi, Claude Goncalves - Bernard Tekpetey, Jakub Piotrowski, Rick Jhonatan - Rwan Cruz. (4-2-3-1)

Servette: Jeremy Frick - Keigo Tsunemoto, Steve Rouiller, Yoan Severin, Bradley Mazikou - Miroslav Stevanovic, Gael Ondoua, Theo Magnin, Bendeguz Bolla - Enzo Crivelli, Jeremy Guillemenot. (4-4-2)

Spooky Express Betting Prediction

Servette were far from impressive in their away games in the Europa League group stage as they suffered bad defeats in their visits to AS Roma and Slavia Prague (both 4-0), while they were held to a 1-1 draw at Sheriff Tiraspol in late-October.

Ludogorets Razgrad, on the other hand, boast a 100% home record in the competition so far. Furthermore, the Eagles are yet to concede in Razgrad after they beat the likes of Spartak Trnava (4-0), Fenerbahce (2-0) and FC Nordsjaelland (1-0) in this season's group stage as well as Belgian giants Anderlecht (1-0) in the knockout phase last year.

With seven wins in their last 9 European home games, Ludogorets Razgrad are our favorites to win the match.

Spooky Express Free Play: Ludogorets Razgrad +100 at Everygame for 6/10 Units

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