Our prediction for this Champions League match:
Ludogorets
Match Time & Date:
11/07/2018
01:00 PM
Prediction: 3-0
Crusaders
Ludogorets take on Crusaders in Razgrad in the first leg of the Champions League first qualifying round. Ludogorets were more than unfortunate not to book their place in the group stages of the elite competition last term, with the team losing to Hapoel Be’er Sheva on away goal rule and, no doubt, they aim to regain their spot in the Champions League. The Bulgarian champions are a real force to be reckoned with at home and seeing that Crusaders conceded ten goals in previous two away games in the elite competition, we predict that the hosts are going to emerge triumphant in Wednesday’s football game. The Northern Ireland champions often struggle in European competitions and, taking everything into account, we do not believe that they are capable of spoiling Ludogorets’ party at Ludogorets Arena. A man to watch in the home team will be experienced attacker Marcelinho.
Highlighted Player (Vladislav Stoyanov):
Stoyanov is a Bulgarian goalkeeper playing for PFC Ludogorets Razgrad. The 29-year-old shot stopper is also a member of the Bulgarian national football team with his Cristiano Ronaldo penalty save in an unexpected 1-0 away friendly win over Portugal remaining the highlight of his international career so far.
Stoyanov had previously saved another penalty from Real Madrid star in his team’s 2-1 loss to the reigning European champions in 2014. Stoyanov is an experienced goalkeeping veteran who has played for Naftex Burgas, Pomorie, Chernomorets and Sheriff Tiraspol before arriving in Razgrad in 2013.
Stoyanov had a fairly successful three-year spell in Moldova, having won two Moldovan National Division titles and one Moldovan Cup.The 2014 Bulgarian Footballer of the Year, Vladislav Stoyanov has made over 90 league appearances for Ludogorets and will be one of the key members in his club’s UEFA Champions League campaign, also one of the rare Bulgarian players in this Brazilian-studded team.
Highlighted Team (Ludogorets):
Bulgarian football club PFC Ludogorets Razgrad, commonly referred to as Eagles, compete at the Ludogorets Arena with the capacity of 8,000. PFC Ludogorets Razgrad are owned by Kiril Domuschiev, who made it his personal goal to propel the club to domestic and international success and to hold up the Bulgarian flag high with nation’s biggest clubs Levski and CSKA going through turbulent times.
Having seen their stock rise astronomically since 2010, PFK Ludogorets Razgrad have become the first Bulgarian club to be features in the UEFA Champions League group stage twice. Previously, their maiden participation happened in 2014-15 season when the Bulgarian club made headlines due to notable results against FC Basel and Liverpool.
Their success on domestic scene has been equally impressive as PFC Ludogorets Razgrad remain the second team in the world to win a treble after being promoted from the second to the first league. Main force of the Bulgarian club are the Brazilian players, currently eight of them in the squad many of whom hold the Bulgarian citizenship.
North Macedonia
Netherlands
Ukraine
Austria
Finland
Belgium
Russia
Denmark
Croatia
Scotland
Czech Republic
England
