Aiming to stage a comeback following a terrible first-leg showing, Petrocub Hincesti will host Ludogorets Razgrad in the second leg of their Europa League playoff on Thursday night.
The Hincesti Lions have plenty of work to do in order to reach the League Phase, whilst the Eagles know that even a defeat in Moldova could be enough for progression.
Match preview
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Travelling to Bulgaria last Thursday to commence their Europa League playoff quest for success, Petrocub Hincesti suffered the heaviest defeat of their 2024-25 schedule to date, meaning that their hopes of advancing into the League Phase are extremely low heading into the second leg.
A first-half strike from Ludogorets attacker Kwadwo Duah had the hosts in Bulgaria ahead at the half-time whistle, before a Rwan Cruz strike and an added-time brace from Dinis Almeida condemned the visitors to a four-goal defeat, all but ending their chances of advancing into the next stage.
After the severe disappointment of the first leg against Ludogorets last Thursday, the Hincesti Lions managed to return to winning ways in the Moldovan Premier League, beating top-tier minnows Dacia Buiucani 2-0 courtesy of second-period efforts from Constantin Sandu and Marin Caruntu.
Sunday afternoon's success was the first time that Petrocub have netted more than a single goal in a match across all competitions this campaign, with Thursday's hosts knowing that they need to score at least four in the second leg to have any chance of staying on the European stage.
Following the embarrassment of a 7-2 defeat in the third round of Champions League qualifying against Azerbaijani champions Qarabag on August 13, Ludogorets Razgrad decided it was their turn to inflict some continental pain last Thursday, when the Bulgarians recorded a 4-0 win over Petrocub in the first leg.
Although the Eagles will be mightily disappointed that they were unable to advance into the League Phase of the expanded and revamped Champions League, Ludogorets should be satisfied with their work in Europe so far this summer, knowing that a place in the Europa League is only 90 minutes away.
Ludogorets continued their defence of the Bulgarian First League title on Sunday night, when Zahari Sirakov's troops recorded a one-goal victory at the home of Beroe, with a second-half penalty from Todor Nedelev proving to be the only decisive moment of the contest.
After playing in the group stage of the Europa Conference League during 2023-24, the Eagles are hoping to go one better this season and qualify for the Europa League, where a new format and 36-team table awaits them.
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Team News
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After a shocking first-leg defeat in Bulgaria, Petrocub are likely to make some alterations to their starting XI for the all-important second leg on Thursday.
As a result, the likes of Caruntu and Vladimir Ambros could lose their berths in attack, meaning that Mihai Lupan and Boubacar Diallo might be promoted from the bench.
Despite conceding four goals last time out, the Hincesti Lions have little choice but to stick with their senior shot-stopper in the form of Silviu Smalenea.
Netting a brilliant brace from centre-back in the first leg, Almeida will continue to partner Edvin Kurtulus at the heart of the Ludogorets backline.
All of the Eagles' front four managed a goal contribution in the thrashing of Petrocub last Thursday, with Rick and Caio providing assists from the flanks.
Petrocub Hincesti possible starting lineup:
Smalenea; Bors, Mudrac, S Platica; I Jardan, M Platica, Lungu, Sandu, V Jardan; Lupan, Ambros
Ludogorets Razgrad possible starting lineup:
Padt; Witry, Kurtulus, Almeida, Son; Piotrowski, Naressi, Rick, Cruz, Caio; Duah
We say: Petrocub Hincesti 1-2 Ludogorets Razgrad (Ludogorets Razgrad win 6-1 on aggregate)
Needing to win by at least four goals in 90 minutes to keep the tie alive, Petrocub will have to go all out from the start in Moldova on Thursday night.
As a result, there should be spaces for Ludogorets to exploit in the Hincesti Lions' defence, meaning that we can envisage the Eagles extending their aggregate advantage even further.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Carter White
