Petrocub have a mountain to climb if they are going to qualify for the Europa League proper this season having lost the first leg of their play-off game against Bulgarian side Ludogorets 4-0.
Thursday's guests were already the favourite to qualify from this tie and that excellent first-leg victory sees Ludogorets with one foot in the group stage.
Contents
Petrocub vs Ludogorets prediction: Another win for Ludogorets?
Key Stats
- Petrocub have lost two of their last three matches in league and cup.
- Kwadwo Duah scored against Petrocub in the first leg.
- The Swiss striker has scored four goals in seven appearances this season.
Correct score prediction: Petrocub 0-2 Ludogorets
Thursday's hosts have failed to score in three of their last four outings while Ludogorets have scored at least two goals in four of their last six matches, which is why we're backing a final scoreline of 2-0 in favour of the visitors.
Pre-game odds and win probability: Odds stacked against the hosts
- HOME: 10/3 (4.33) – 23.1%
- DRAW: 29/10 (3.90) – 25.6%
- AWAY: 10/11 (1.91) – 52.4%
*odds from Ladbrokes, subject to change
Ludogorets are the expected winner of this game with a probability of 52.4%, and we can't see this game ending in anything but an away win.
You can find all our predictions for today's games on our football betting tips page.
Most recent H2Hs: Ludogorets lead
Thanks to that 4-0 win last week, Ludogorets have taken the lead in the head-to-head record between these two clubs and the odds are stacked against Petrocub getting back onto level terms.
UEFA Europa League Qualifying 22/08/24
Ludogorets Razgrad
CS Petrocub
Petrocub preview: Have nothing to lose
Petrocub simply have to give it their best shot on Thursday evening but the odds are stacked against the Moldovans.
Being four goals down against a stronger side means that Petrocub would have to pull off the result of a lifetime to qualify for the Europa League proper this week.
Despite the fact that the Moldovan side are strong in their own backyard, Ludogorets head into the second leg full of confidence.
Predicted lineup: Smalenea (GK), I. Jardan, Mudrac, Bors, M. Platica, S. Platica, V. Jardan, Lungu, Cotogoi, Caruntu & Ambros
UEFA Europa League Qualifying 29/08/24
L
Ludogorets Razgrad
2
CS Petrocub
1
Moldova Divizia Nationala 25/08/24
W
Dacia Buiucani
0
CS Petrocub
2
UEFA Europa League Qualifying 22/08/24
L
Ludogorets Razgrad
4
CS Petrocub
0
Moldova Divizia Nationala 18/08/24
L
Sheriff Tiraspol
1
CS Petrocub
0
UEFA Europa League Qualifying 13/08/24
D
T.N.S.
0
CS Petrocub
0
Ludogorets preview: Helped by two late goals
Kwadwo Duah fired Ludogorets in front against Petrocub last week in the 23rd minute but the eventual 4-0 scoreline did slightly flatter the home side.
Rwan Cruz made it 2-0 just before the hour mark and Ludogorets' final two goals, both from Dinis Almeida, arrived in stoppage time and virtually sealed the Bulgarians' place in the group stage of the Europa League.
Predicted lineup: Padt (GK). Almeida, Witry, Son, Kurtulus, Piotrowski, Naressi, Duah, Rick, Vidal & Cruz
Bulgaria First League 01/09/24
D
Cherno More Varna
0
Ludogorets Razgrad
0
UEFA Europa League Qualifying 29/08/24
W
CS Petrocub
1
Ludogorets Razgrad
2
Bulgaria First League 25/08/24
W
Beroe
0
Ludogorets Razgrad
1
UEFA Europa League Qualifying 22/08/24
W
CS Petrocub
0
Ludogorets Razgrad
4
Bulgaria First League 17/08/24
W
Levski Sofia
0
Ludogorets Razgrad
1
Player to watch – Kwadwo Duah
Ludogorets London-born Swiss international striker opened the scoring against Petrocub last time out and we're backing the 27-year-old to score again in Moldova.
Duah developed late in Switzerland, making his name with St Gallen from 2020-2022 where he scored 28 goals in 75 appearances in all competitions before moving to German side Nurnberg in the 2. Bundesliga where he scored 11 times in 37 games before signing for Ludogorets.
Duah opened the scoring against Petrocub in the first leg
Duah's first season in Bulgaria saw him find the back of the net 15 times in 37 matches and the Swiss striker has made an impressive start to the latest campaign, scoring four goals in seven games across all competitions.
