Ludogorets-Ajax is a match valid for the first leg of the Europa League qualifying playoffs and is played Thursday at 8 p.m.: predictions.
Ludogorets were relegated from the Champions League after coming off worst in a doubleheader last July with Olimpia Ljubljana in the second qualifying round.
A totally unexpected elimination for Bulgaria’s champion club, which seemed to possess the right credentials to at least make it to the play-offs. The green-and-whites as of today are not even sure of playing in the group stage of the Europa League, as the draw has paired them with the emblazoned Ajax, undoubtedly one of the strongest among those who will play the play-offs. The first leg is staged in Razgrad, where Ludogorets have never lost in their matches played so far: the only defeats of Ivaylo Petev’s men have all accrued away from home. Nor are they few: the last disappointment was handed to them last Sunday by Cherno More (1-0) at the end of a match characterized by excessive nervousness. It is no coincidence that the team that has won the Bulgarian championship uninterruptedly for twelve years in a row even finished with nine. For Ludogorets it is the second knockout in Parva Liga after the one they suffered on their debut in July against Krumovgrad (3-1).
Despodov and his teammates have already made their Europa League debut as well, ousting Astana in the third qualifying round. Resolute green-and-white reaction after the defeat (2-1) in the first leg: in the return match Ludogorets literally swept away (5-1) the Kazakhs.
Ludogorets’ Tissera’s jubilation
For Ajax, on the other hand, it is the season opener in Europe. In an attempt to turn over a new leaf after a disappointing season, the red and whites have relied on Maurice Steijn. The debut, however, has not entirely convinced the fans of the Amsterdam club, which in the first two rounds of the Eredivisie has scraped together a win (4-1 at Heracles) and a draw (2-2) with Excelsior. The material to do well is there but the golden days of Erik ten Hag seem far away today.
The prediction
An Ajax still stuttering and struggling with a problematic non-possession phase of the ball could cash in at least one goal in the Bulgarian away game. In any case, those who do not want to bet openly on the Lancers can veer to the goal option: there will be no shortage of them.
Ludogorets-Ajax likely lineups
- LUDOGORETS (4-3-3): Sluga; Witry, Verdon, Sundberg, Heister; Goncalves, Piotrowski, Yordanov; Tekpetey, Seco, Despodov.
- AJAX (4-2-3-1): Gorter; Rensch, Medic, Hato, Salah-Eddine; Tahirovic, van den Boomen; Borges, Kudus, Bergwijn; Brobbey.
POSSIBLE RESULT: 1-2
