Espanyol and Ludogorets meet in a match in the group stage 4 of Group H of the UEFA Europa League. The match will be played on Thursday at 20:00 pm at RCDE Stadium.
The Ludogorets have several reasons for dissatisfaction after the failure suffered in front of Espanyol, 0-1 in Bulgaria. The first is represented by the fact that Claudiu Keseru’s team lost the first place in Group H, being one point behind the Catalans. The second reason is that the defeat ended the series of 9 victories in a row in all competitions and 21 matches in a row without defeat.
For Espanyol, the situation in the championship is not as good as in the Europa League. Pablo Machin’s team comes to this duel after two consecutive failures in La Liga, 0-3 on the field of Athletic Bilbao and 1-2 at home, in front of Valencia. What is encouraging for Espanyol is the fact that they were the best team from a statistical point of view in both matches, even if they could not even get a point.
Probable teams
Spanish: Diego Lopez – Corchia, Espinosa, David Lopez, Didac Vila, Adria Pedrosa – Fernando Calero, Granero, Sergi Darder – Víctor Campuzano, Vargas;
Absent: Iturraspe, Piatti, Calleri, Oscar Melendo (injured), Javi Lopez (suspended);
Ludogorets: Iliev – Cicinho, Terziev, Rafael Forster, Nedyalkov – Andrianantenaina, Dyakov – Lukoki, Marcelinho, Wanderson – Swierczok;
Absent: Grigore (suspended), Stoyanov, Tawatha (injured), Renan, Keseru (uncertain);
They meet the best defenses of this group, but also two of the best defenses of the current season of UEFA Europa Leaugue, with two, respectively a goal received after three stages. In these circumstances, it is expected that the duel at RCDE Stadium will not offer a high number of goals. Also, the host team is required to obtain at least one point to keep the first position in Group H, a point which, most likely, it will obtain.
PREDICTION: Espanyol to win @ 1,90
