Our prediction for this Europa League match:
Ludogorets will look to cement their spot in top two in Group C when they welcome Helsinki to their Huvepharma Arena on Thursday evening. Ludogorets dropped two points in a 1-1 draw with HJK at Bolt Arena, but they are seen as favourites to beat the Finnish side in Razgrad. Midfielder Dominik Yankov remains in the treatment room, but head coach Ante Simundza can count on key players for this clash.
The visitors, on the other hand, did well to beat Haka thanks to David Browne’s goal at the weekend, but they will have a much bigger fish to fry against Ludogorets, who are a real force to be reckoned with at home. Even though defender Miro Tenho is back from suspension for the visiting side, we are tempted to put our money on the Bulgarian champions this time out.
Highlighted Player (Sergio Padt):
Sergio Padt is a Dutch footballer who plays for Eredivisie club Groningen as a goalkeeper. Padt played for the likes of Pancratius, Hoofddorp, and Ajax during his youth career, but he did not see any game action with the Amsterdammers at senior level.
Following short loan spells with the likes of Haarlem and Go Ahead Eagles, Sergio Padt signed a deal with Belgian outfit Gent in June, 2011. After making 55 appearances for the club in the Belgian top flight, the Dutch shot-stopper joined Groningen in the summer of 2014. Sergio Padt did remarkably well to win the KNVB Cup with the Green-White Army in the 2014/15 season, with the team beating PEC Zwolle in the title game.
The Groningen goalkeeper, who was born on June 6, 1990, has five caps for the Netherlands U-21 team. Speaking of his senior career, he received two call-ups for the national team, but has yet to make his debut.