Looking to commence their League Phase campaigns with maximum points, Ludogorets Razgrad and Slavia Prague will lock horns at Huvepharma Arena in the Europa League on Wednesday night.
The Eagles are coming into this clash on a three-game winning run, whereas the Red and Whites will be striving for their fifth straight victory across all competitions.
Match preview
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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.
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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.
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Team News
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Forced off with an injury in the 68th minute during the weekend win over Lokomotiv Sofia, Ludogorets goalscorer Delev is a doubt for Wednesday's Europa League clash.
As a result, the Eagles may require a new face on the left flank, with 25-year-old Brazilian Rick a strong candidate for the role in Bulgaria.
Both right-back Aslak Fonn Witry and right-winger Caio were hooked at half time on the weekend, meaning that their spots in Wednesday's XI are not secure.
A hero for Slovakia at Euro 2024, Slavia Prague's Ivan Schranz is a doubt for this continental battle due to a troubling muscle injury sustained earlier this month.
The Red and Whites are also lacking in the goalkeeping department, with Czech Republic international Jindrich Stanek suffering a shoulder injury over the summer.
Ludogorets Razgrad possible starting lineup:
Bonmann; Son, Kurtulus, Verdon, Yordanov; Naressi, Duarte, Caio, Camara, Rick; Cruz
Slavia Prague possible starting lineup:
Kinsky; Holes, Zima, Boril; Doudera, Zafeiris, Dorley, Diouf; Chytil, Provod, Chory
We say: Ludogorets Razgrad 1-2 Slavia Prague
Ludogorets have enjoyed a solid winning run domestically, although they have already shown their frailties against decent opposition in Europe so far this season.
Slavia Prague narrowly missed out on Champions League qualification, so they should be confident of making serious waves in this campaign's Europa League.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Carter White
