Shkendija will welcome Ludogorets to Skopje in the first leg of their UEFA Europa League (UEL) play-off tie on Thursday night. Both teams have dropped down to Europe's second-tier competition after being knocked out of the UEFA Champions League (UCL) qualifying rounds.
Indeed, Shkendija lost 6-1 on aggregate to Qarabag, while Ludogorets lost 3-0 on aggregate to Ferencvaros. Nonetheless, it will no doubt be interesting to see exactly how the two teams match up with a place in the league phase of the UEL at stake.
Contents
Shkendija vs Ludogorets prediction: All square heading into second leg?
Key stats
- Shkendija's two defeats to Qarabag are the only ones they have suffered in 10 games in total in all competitions.
- Ludogorets have only won once in four matches across all competitions.
- Both teams have scored in each of Shkendija's previous three games.
Correct score prediction: Shkendija 1-1 Ludogorets
This will be an interesting battle as Shkendija have been fairly free-scoring of late, but Ludogorets have not conceded an awful lot of goals. We feel that both teams would settle for a draw going into the second leg, and we can see this outcome happening.
Pre-game odds and win probability: Ludogorets large favourites with bookmakers
- HOME: 3/1 (4.00) – 25.0%
- DRAW: 5/2 (3.50) – 28.6%
- AWAY: 10/11 (1.91) – 52.4%
*odds from Ladbrokes, subject to change
As shown by the implied probabilities, Ludogorets are favourites with bookmakers to win the first leg away from home. A draw is rated at just under a 29% chance of happening, while a Shkendija victory on home soil is backed at 25%.
Also, feel free to check out our dedicated Football Betting Tips Today page, as well as our Europa League predictions & betting tips page.
Most recent H2Hs: First meeting between two teams
It will be the first time ever that both Shkendija and Ludogorets will play against each other in a competitive outing on Thursday night. It will no doubt be interesting to see how the pair match up.
Shkendija preview: Changes needed after Qarabag thrashing?
Shkendija could be tempted to make a number of changes to the XI that were thrashed 5-1 by Qarabag in Europe last time out. Among the starters that could be dropped to the substitutes bench are Liridon Latifi and Kamer Qaka.
Predicted lineup: Gaye (GK), Trumci, Fetai, Cake, Webster, Ramadani, Alhassan, Krasniqi, Zejnullai, Tamba & Ibraimi
Europe Friendlies 25/06/25
D
CSKA Sofia
1
Shkendija Tetovo
1
Europe Friendlies 21/06/25
L
FC Koper
4
Shkendija Tetovo
0
Club Friendly List 17/06/25
W
FC Arges Pitesti
0
Shkendija Tetovo
1
North Macedonia First League 17/05/25
L
FK Sileks
3
Shkendija Tetovo
1
North Macedonia First League 11/05/25
W
FK Gostivar
0
Shkendija Tetovo
3
Ludogorets preview: Bonmann could be dropped
Likewise, Ludogorets could be tempted to make changes after crashing out of the UCL. Goalkeeper Hendrik Bonmann is among the names that could lose their starting place, with Sergio Padt ready to replace him.
Predicted lineup: Padt (GK), Son, Verdon, Kurtulus, Nedyalkov, Kaloc, Duarte, Chochev, Marcus, Caio & Bille
Bulgaria First League 13/05/25
L
Cherno More Varna
2
Ludogorets Razgrad
0
Bulgaria First League 09/05/25
D
Arda Kardzhali
1
Ludogorets Razgrad
1
Bulgaria First League 03/05/25
D
Levski Sofia
1
Ludogorets Razgrad
1
Bulgaria First League 27/04/25
W
Cherno More Varna
0
Ludogorets Razgrad
2
Bulgaria Cup 23/04/25
W
Botev Vratsa
0
Ludogorets Razgrad
2
Player to watch: Ivaylo Chochev
Ludogorets' recent wins have had a common theme – Ivaylo Chochev has gotten himself on the scoresheet. Indeed, he has scored in each of their previous two victories, bringing his total to four goals for the season so far in all competitions, which will surely make Shkendija wary ahead of the first leg on their own turf.