MX23RW : Tuesday, December 10 19:51:45| >> :120:9934:9934:
[monks data]
Ludogorets
Europa League | League Stage
Nov 7, 2024 at 5.45pm UK
Huvepharma Arena (Razgrad)
Athletic Bilbao logo

Ludogorets
1 - 2
Athletic Bilbao

Marcus (20')
Rick (30'), Rusev (77'), Seco (90+4')
FT(HT: 1-0)
Williams (73'), Serrano (74')
Berchiche (23'), Vivian (48'), Vesga (72'), Serrano (90+4')

Preview: Ludogorets Razgrad vs. Athletic Bilbao - prediction, team news, lineups

Sports Mole previews Thursday's Europa League clash between Ludogorets Razgrad and Athletic Bilbao, including predictions, team news and possible lineups.

Athletic Bilbao will travel to Bulgaria for Thursday's Europa League clash against Bulgarian champions Ludogorets Razgrad.

The hosts are languishing down in 33rd place in the standings, while the Basque side are currently sitting in eighth position.


Match preview

Ludogorets' Caio Vidal celebrates on August 17, 2024© Imago

Ludogorets have made a disappointing start to the inaugural Europa League league phase, having taken just one point from their opening three matches.

The Bulgarian club kicked off the main draw with a 2-0 home defeat against Slavia Prague, before they played out a goalless affair with Viktoria Plzen in their trip to Czechia on matchday two.

Unfortunately for Ludogorets, they were unable to take anything from their most recent European away trip, conceding two second-half goals to fall to a 2-0 loss against Belgian side Anderlecht.

As it stands, Ludogorets are sitting two points adrift of the top 24 teams and are one of two clubs yet to score in this season's Europa League main draw.

While they are still searching for their first win of the league phase, the Eagles have had no such problems in the Bulgarian top flight, having won 11 of their 12 matches to establish a nine-point lead at the top of the table.

Ludogorets are preparing for a fourth consecutive home game in all competitions, and after winning their last three by a combined 12-0 scoreline, they will hope that home advantage can spur them to a precious victory.

Athletic Bilbao head coach Ernesto Valverde on August 24, 2024© Imago

In contrast to their hosts, Athletic have made a promising start to their Europa League campaign, having won two and drawn one of their three matches.

Aitor Paredes scored a late equaliser to hold Roma to a 1-1 draw at Stadio Olimpico, before two second-half goals proved enough to condemn AZ Alkmaar to a 2-0 defeat

After beating AZ at San Mames, Los Leones enjoyed another successful home outing on matchday three when Nico Williams scored the decisive goal in a 1-0 win over Slavia Prague.

Having made an unbeaten start to their European campaign, Ernesto Valverde's side currently occupy one of their eight qualification spots for the last 16, although they are sitting just inside the top eight on goal difference.

Athletic will be slightly frustrated with the fact that they will head into Thursday's fixture off the back of consecutive league draws against Mallorca and Real Betis, leaving them with just one win from their previous five La Liga matches.

The goalless draw against Mallorca extended Athletic's winless away run to three matches in all competitions, ensuring that they are still searching for their first away win since beating Leganes 2-0 on September 19.

Ludogorets Razgrad Europa League form:


Ludogorets Razgrad form (all competitions):


Athletic Bilbao Europa League form:


Athletic Bilbao form (all competitions):



Team News

Athletic Bilbao's Nico Williams pictured in August 2024© Imago

Ludogorets are unable to call upon the injured trio of Anton Nedyalkov, Jakub Piotrowski and Bernard Tekpetey.

Caio Vidal is suspended following his red card on matchday three, while Pedro Naressi will serve a one-match ban for an accumulation of yellow cards.

Brazilian attacker Erick Marcus is set to start a third consecutive game after scoring three goals in the last two matches.

As for the visitors, they are expected to be without the services of Unai Simon, Mikel Jauregizar and Gorka Guruzeta.

Oihan Sancet will have to be assessed by the Athletic medical staff after he picked up an ankle injury in Sunday's draw with Betis.

Alex Berenguer could be rewarded with a starting berth after he came off the bench to score Athletic's equaliser at the weekend.


Ludogorets Razgrad possible starting lineup:
Padt; Witry, Verdon, Almeida, Son; Marcus, Camara, Chochev, Duarte, Rick; Duah

Athletic Bilbao possible starting lineup:
Agirrezabala; De Marcos, Vivian, Paredes, Berchiche; Ruiz de Galarreta, Prados; I. Williams, Berenguer, N. Williams; Djalo


SM words green background

We say: Ludogorets Razgrad 1-1 Athletic Bilbao

Athletic may be unbeaten in four competitive matches, but they have failed to any of their last three away matches, and with that in mind, we think that the Basque side will have to settle for a point from Thursday's trip to Bulgaria.



For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.




ID:557400:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:collect12466:
Written by
Ben Sully

Previews by email

Click here to get Sports Mole's daily email of previews and predictions for every major game!


Game History

How you voted: Ludogorets vs Athletic Bilbao

Ludogorets Razgrad
22.2%
Draw
13.2%
Athletic Bilbao
64.6%
144
Collect / Create New Data
Share this article now:
Manchester United's Antony celebrates scoring their second goal on September 17, 2024
Read Next:
Thursday's Europa League predictions including Porto vs. Man United
>
Sports Mole Logo
Enter your email address to subscribe to Sports Mole's free match previews newsletter! Updates are sent twice a week.
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
FT
Bengals
27-20
Cowboys
Tables header RHS

League Phase

TeamPWDLPTS
1Lazio541013
2Frankfurt541013
3Anderlecht532011
4Galatasaray532011
5Lyon531110
6Rangers531110
7Ajax531110
8Spurs531110
9FCSB531110
10Ferencvaros53029
11Man Utd52309
12Plzen52309
13Olympiacos52218
14Fenerbahce52218
15Bodo/Glimt52127
16Real Sociedad52127
17AZ52127
18Midtjylland52127
19Braga52127
20Roma51316
21Besiktas52036
22Porto51225
23Union SG51225
24Hoffenheim51225
25Slavia Prague51134
26PAOK51134
27Elfsborg51134
28Malmo51043
29FC Twente50323
30M. Tel Aviv51043
31Qarabag51043
32Ludogorets50232
33RFS50232
34Nice50232
35Athletic Club00000
36Dynamo Kiev50050


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!