Will the visitors convert the match point in Rasgrad?
Will Ludogorets Rasgrad provide support for Belgrade or Braga? These two clubs will meet in a direct duel on the last matchday of the group stage in the Europa League. The loser would depend on whether or not the Bulgarians score in their meaningless home match against FC Midtjylland.
The starting position in the group is extremely exciting and every goal can be decisive on Thursday evening. From the Danish visitors’ point of view, it is essentially relatively simple.
A win is needed and entry into the knockout phase is assured. Whether it will be enough for first or second place depends on the competition. But one thing is certain: without a win in Rasgrad, the red and black team’s exit is sealed. For this reason, the bookmakers see the visitors as clear favourites and the odds for an away win between Ludogorets Rasgrad and Midtjylland are below 2.0.
The home side are only fighting for honour and the infamous golden pineapple. That’s why, at first glance, betting on Ludogorets Razgrad vs. Midtjylland seems more interesting for the club from the Superliga. The match will kick off parallel to the match in Portugal on Thursday evening at 21:00. German participation is also present in the person of referee Tobias Stieler.
Ludogorets Rasgrad – Statistics & current form
As good as it is going in the league, as bitter is the yield on the international stage. Ludogorets Rasgrad are the measure of all things in the domestic Parva Liga and are unchallenged in first place in the table after 16 matchdays. They have won 14 matches and scored 43 goals, which is an impressive statistic, especially offensively. All the more surprising is the fact that it is precisely the forward play that has been lacking in the Europa League.
How motivated do the hosts appear?
Only three meagre goals from their five group games are the main reason why the Eagles have no chance of progressing before the final matchday. Coach Stanislav Genchev’s team has lost three games by 0:1. The Bulgarians have not been without chances in any of their matches and on the last matchday they will also want to bow out of the competition with some grace.
Their good form has been demonstrated in recent weeks and they have won their last three domestic matches with a total of ten goals of their own. Attacking player Pieros Sotiriou scored five times. It remains to be seen whether the coach of the home side will spare some players in the squad for this weekend’s league match at home against Pirin Blagoevgrad. Despite their insignificance in sporting terms, the hosts are not expected to be completely defenceless.
Pieros Sotiriou also internationally with a hunger for goals?
Much more can be predicted between Ludogorets Rasgrad and Midtjylland that the Danes will have to prepare themselves for a tough game. In terms of personnel, there is no new news. With Marin, Nedyalkov and Wanderson, three players in the squad are still out due to various injuries.
Predicted line-up of Ludogorets Rasgrad:
Padt – Ikoko, Terziev, Plastun, Pinas – Claude Goncalves, Badji, Despodov, Yankov, Tchibota – Sotiriou
Last matches played by Ludogorets Razgrad:
First Professional League
12/05 2021 – PFC Lokomotiv Sofia 1929 2 – 4 PFK Ludogorez Razgrad
12/02 2021 – PFK Ludogorez Razgrad 4 – 1 Arda Kardzhali
11/29 2021 – PFK Ludogorez Razgrad 2 – 0 PFC CSKA-Sofia
Europa League Grp. F
11/25 2021 – Red Star Belgrade 1 – 0 PFK Ludogorez Rasgrad
First Professional League
11/21 2021 – CSKA 1948 2 – 0 PFK Ludogorez Rasgrad
Midtjylland – Statistics & current form
Fc Midtjylland gained more self-confidence at the weekend. While the team of coach Bo Henriksen stumbled a little in the league and took only one point from the last three games, they managed to make it to the semi-finals in the cup. Brøndby IF were beaten 2:0 away from home and the trend is pointing in the right direction again.
Do the Danes still dance on three weddings in 2022?
Nothing has happened in the Superliga yet either, despite the current misery, and the red-and-blacks are still two points ahead of FC Copenhagen in first place.However, if the club, founded in 1999, wants to continue dancing on three weddings after the winter break, a sense of achievement is needed on Thursday evening. The fact that FCM still have a chance of advancing is thanks to 23-year-old Brazilian Evander.
On the last matchday, Evander scored a penalty kick in injury time to win 3:2 against Sporting Braga. So the Danes still have their place in the knockout round in their own hands and want to make the most of their big chance on Thursday. There is no need to look at the other place, as the guests will pass either Belgrade or Braga with a win. In addition to the injured Hoegh and Marrony, Raphaël Onyedika will not be able to help with the “away win” mission.
Midtjylland must only concentrate on their own task
The 20-year-old young star has to serve a yellow suspension and can only root for his teammates. Jens-Lys Cajuste could move into the starting line-up in his place. The odds between Ludogorets Rasgrad and Midtjylland are rightly very low for the visitors, as the sporting incentive is much greater for the away team. However, coach Henriksen’s charges should not underestimate their opponents and they still have to do their homework.
Predicted line-up of Midtjylland:
Lössl – Dalsgaard, Sviatchenko, Juninho – Andersson, Cajuste, Evander, Paulinho – Isaksen, Sisto, Junior Brumado
Last matches played by Midtjylland:
Danish Cup
12/05 2021 – Brøndby Kopenhagen 0 – 2 FC Midtjylland
Superleague
11/29 2021 – Vejle Boldklub 1 – 1 FC Midtjylland
Europa League Grp. F
11/25 2021 – FC Midtjylland 3 – 2 Braga
Superleague
11/21 2021 – FC Midtjylland 1 – 2 Brøndby Kopenhagen
11/07 2021 – Aarhus GF 3 – 0 FC Midtjylland
Ludogorets Razgrad – Midtjylland Direct comparison / H2H record
The direct comparison between Ludogorets Rasgrad and Midtjylland strengthens the bet on the away win just as much as the bet on few goals in Bulgaria. The two clubs met not only in the first leg of this year’s Europa League, but also in the Champions League qualifiers a year ago.
Back then, the Danes won 1:0 away from home with a goal by Joker Junior Brumado. In the first leg, the points were shared 1-1, although Midtjylland were the dominant team for a large part of the match. To date, the Bulgarians have not scored more than that one point.
Ludogorets Razgrad – Midtjylland Tip
Even though Ludogorets Rasgrad managed to pick up their only point in this year’s Europa League so far against Midtjylland of all teams, this is unlikely to be repeated on Thursday. In the first leg, the Bulgarians had a lot of luck and were able to take a flattering point away from home.
This time, the home side’s motivation should be even more limited, as the Green-Whites have already been eliminated. The situation is completely different for the opponents from Midtjylland.
Bo Henriksen’s charges absolutely have to win in order to keep their flag flying high in the international arena in the new calendar year.
The trend has recently been pointing in the right direction again and with the necessary focus and a concentrated performance, the away victory should be achieved on Thursday evening. Therefore, between Ludogorets Rasgrad and Midtjylland, the best recommendation is to bet on the odds of the guests and a stake of five units on this selection offers itself.