Our prediction for this Europa League match:
Ludogorets
Match Time & Date:
13/12/2018
03:00 PM
Prediction: 1-1
FC Zurich
Ludogorets will be aiming to record their first win of the 2018/2019 Europa League campaign when they host Zurich at their Ludogorets Arena on Thursday evening. The Bulgarian side shared the spoils with their rivals in previous three group games and fans believe that the time has come for their favourites to record a victory. Ludogorets aim to overtake AEK Larnaca in third place in Group A, but seeing that Thursday’s football match is of big importance for Zurich, home win should not be considered. The Swiss side have already booked their place in the Europa League knockout stages, but they have yet to meet their second goal and that is clinching top position in the standings. However, seeing that Zurich are not regarded as good travelers, we predict that the two teams are going to share the spoils at Razgrad Arena.
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 (FC Zurich):
Zurich were founded in 1896 and six years later they won their first Swiss Super League title. In the 2008/2009 season der Stadtclub the club won their 12th domestic trophy and, as a result, they are regarded as one of the biggest clubs in Switzerland. Zurich made it to the Champions League (European Cup) on two occasions.
The Swiss outfit faced Real Madrid in the semis of the elite competition in the 1963/1964 season, but Spanish giants Real Madrid proved to be a big catch for them. In the 1967/1977 season Zurich were beaten by Liverpool in the European Cup semis, with the Swiss team losing both legs. Der Stadtclub play their home games at Letzigrund and the capacity of the stadium is 25 000.
It has to be noted that the likes of Shabani Nonda, Josip Drmic, Rosario Martinelli, Ike Shorunmu, Daniel Gygax, Blerim Dzemaili, Jurica Jerkovic, Iulian Filipescu played for the club in the past. Zurich’s home colours are white and blue.
Genoa
Bologna
Valencia
Celta Vigo
Atalanta
Empoli
Fiorentina
Juventus
Arsenal
Everton
Brighton
West Ham
