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

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

The hosts languish in 33rd place in the rankingwhile the Basque side currently sit in eighth place.

Match preview

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Ludogorets have made a disappointing start to the opening Europa League league stage, having taken one point from their opening three games.

The Bulgarian club started the main draw with a 2-0 home defeat to Slavia Prague before playing out a goalless affair with Viktoria Plzen in their trip to the Czech Republic on matchday two.

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

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

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

Ludogorets are gearing up for a fourth consecutive home game in all competitions and, having won their last three by a combined score of 12-0, will be hoping home advantage can spur them to a precious victory.

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Unlike 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 equalizer to hold Roma to a 1-1 draw at the Stadio Olimpico before two second-half goals proved enough to condemn AZ Alkmaar to a 2-0 defeat

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

After getting off to an unbeaten start to their European campaign, Ernesto Valverdes side currently occupy one of their eight qualification places for the last 16, although they sit just inside the top eight on goal difference.

Athletic will be slightly frustrated that they go into Thursday’s game on the back of a string of league draws against Mallorca and Real Betis, leaving them with just one win from their previous five La Liga games.

The goalless draw against Mallorca extended Athletic’s winless run on the road to three games in all competitions, ensuring they are still looking for their first away win since beating Leganes 2-0 on 19 September.

Ludogorets Razgrad Europa League form:

Ludogorets Razgrad form (all competitions):

Athletic Bilbao Europa League form:

Athletic Bilbao form (all competitions):

Team news

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Ludogorets is unable to call on the injured trio Anton Nedyalkov, Jakub Piotrowski and Bernard Tekpetey.

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

Brazilian striker Erik Marcus is set to start a third game in a row after scoring three goals in the last two games.

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

Oihan Sancet will be assessed by the Athletic medical staff after picking up an ankle injury in Sunday’s draw against Betis.

Alex Berenguer could be rewarded with a starting place after coming off the bench to score Athletic’s equalizer at the weekend.

Ludogorets Razgrad possible starting line-up:
Padd; Witry, Verdon, Almeida, Son; Marcus, Camara, Chochev, Duarte, Rick; Duah

Athletic Bilbao possible starting line-up:
Agirrezabala; De Marcos, Vivian, Paredes, Berchiche; Ruiz de Galarreta, Prados; I. Williams, Berenguer, N. Williams; Come on

We say: Ludogorets Razgrad 1-1 Athletic Bilbao

Athletic may be unbeaten in four competitive games, but they have failed in any of their last three away games and with that in mind, we think 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.

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