Can the Canaries maintain their lead in Slovenia?
The Slovenian national team certainly caused a sensation at the European Championship. Judging by the results after regular time, the team led by star keeper Jan Oblak did not concede a single defeat, but were nevertheless eliminated in the round of 16 after a penalty shoot-out against Portugal.
However, the Slovenian club teams are still lagging behind the highest international level. The reigning runners-up, for example, are already facing the threat of elimination in the first qualifying round of the Europa League on Thursday evening. In order for the Slovenians to progress in the clash between Maribor and Botev Plovdiv, they must first make up the deficit from the first leg
A week ago, the Bulgarians won 2:1 in front of their home crowd to put themselves in a good position for the upcoming match at the Volksgarten Stadium. A draw will be enough to take them a small step closer to the dream of participating in the Europa League group stage. However, the yellow-and-blacks from Bulgaria’s second-largest city are well aware of the complexity of the task, as the clear advantage in international experience between Maribor and Botev Plovdiv suggests that a home win is the more likely outcome.
The bookmakers take a similar view and are offering odds of a maximum of 1.72 on a home win ahead of Maribor’s second leg against Botev Plovdiv. The visitors are therefore classified as the blatant underdogs, which seems quite risky in view of their good performance in the first leg and their individual quality. It might therefore even be an option to bet on a good result for the Bulgarians with a free bet without a deposit. You can find attractive quotes in the Bet365 app, for example. As a new customer at Bet365, you can also claim an exclusive sports betting bonus
Maribor – Statistics & current form
NK Maribor is still the figurehead of Slovenian soccer. With 16 championships and nine cup wins to their name, the club from the city on the Drava River is unrivaled at national level. The footballers in yellow and purple also have a lot in their history at international level. They have reached the group stage of the Champions League three times, and the record champions have also made several appearances in the Europa League and UEFA Cup.
However, things have become a little quieter in recent years. The last time they made it into a major European competition was in 2017/18. In the last three seasons, Maribor have always failed to qualify for the Conference League. In 2024/25, the threat of an early exit in an early qualifying round looms once again. After the 2-1 defeat in Bulgaria the previous week, they will definitely need a win on Thursday evening to avoid the knockout
Maribor can no longer win at home internationally
However, with regard to a potential Maribor vs Botev Plovdiv prediction for a home win, it must be taken into account that the Slovenians have now waited eight (!) international games in front of their own fans for a full 90-minute victory. The last home win after regular time in a UEFA competition was three years ago. After that, there were five draws and three draws in the eight matches mentioned above.
It remains to be seen whether this tragic dry spell will come to an end on Thursday evening of all nights, as the reigning Slovenian runners-up have also revealed a number of deficits in their preparations for the league season, which starts next weekend. Among other things, they suffered a resounding 4-0 defeat at home to Rapid Bucharest. Against KS Egnatia from Albania, the Draustadt team had to settle for a 2-2 draw and they also conceded two goals in Plovdiv the previous week. Defensively in particular, there is still plenty of room for improvement.
Since coach Ante Simundza’s team is by no means superior to their upcoming opponents in terms of quality and the starting position naturally harbors risks, we would rather consider the odds on the Bulgarian guest at the bookmakers, where you can bet tax-free, between Maribor and Botev Plovdiv.
Predicted line-up of Maribor:
Jug; Sirvys, Vidmar, Karic, Milec; Z Repas, J Repas; Soudani, Ilicic, Bozic; Jakupovic
Botev Plovdiv – Statistics & current form
Championships, European Cup appearances, persistent vandalism, financial difficulties and finally a new start in the 3rd division. Bulgaria’s oldest club, Botev Plovdiv, has experienced almost everything in its own history. While sport has taken a back seat from time to time, the 2019 Capital of Culture is now happy to have returned to normality. In footballing terms, the club is in a heyday, as coach Dusan Kerkez’s team lifted a trophy – in the Bulgarian Cup – for the first time in seven years without a title last season
Can Botev Plovdiv take advantage of their good starting position?
For the first time since 2017/18, the yellow-and-blacks, who are often referred to as canaries due to their jersey colors, will be allowed to play in the Europa League qualifiers again. Nothing was left to chance in the summer to boost their chances and increase their chances of progressing.
Interesting and well-known players were signed. Anthony Ujah, who proved his scoring prowess in the Bundesliga for many years, is undoubtedly a well-known addition in this country. The transfer of the 20-year-old top talent Nikola Iliev from Inter Milan also caused a sensation in Bulgaria. Both players also got on the scoresheet in the 2:1 win in the first leg. For the second leg on Thursday evening, it might be worth checking the odds on Ujah and/or Iliev scoring between Maribor and Botev Plovdiv. Oddset, among others, provides an extensive range of betting options
The fact that we believe coach Dusan Kerkez’s team will not only score goal(s) but also reach the second round is partly due to the fact that Botev Plovdiv have always got past the first qualifying hurdle in their last five Europa League appearances. In addition, only two of their last eight international away matches have been lost (3-3-2). Bulgaria are on a similar level to their opponents in terms of competitive toughness and fitness, as the Canaries also play their first league game this weekend. A draw away from home or even a win is therefore definitely within the realms of possibility in our eyes.
Predicted line-up of Botev Plovdiv:
Igonen; Minkov, Diabate, Conte, Balogiannis; Eto’o, Perera; Iliev, Popov, Akere; Ujah
Maribor – Botev Plovdiv head-to-head / H2H result
Exactly one week ago, the teams faced each other for the first time in a competitive match. Anthony Ujah put the home side from Bulgaria ahead after just nine minutes. However, Pijus Sirvys equalized just ten minutes later. Both sides then went close, but without any success to speak of. It was left to substitute youngster Iliev to score the 2:1 winner after an assist from Ujah. Thanks to the win in front of their own fans, a draw in Slovenia will be enough for the Canaries to progress.
Maribor – Botev Plovdiv betting tip
It’s all about advancing to the second qualifying round of the UEFA Europa League. Although the road to the group stage is still long and rocky, both clubs certainly wouldn’t mind presenting their fans with at least one more international home game. The Bulgarians from Plovdiv currently have the better chance of progressing to the next round. Despite the 2:1 win in the first leg, the bookmakers are not yet leaning too far out of the window in terms of odds. They are still offering 1.75 for the Kerkez team to progress.
In our eyes, however, it is by no means unrealistic that the Canaries will also get a good result in Slovenia. In terms of quality, the teams are on an equal footing. The starting position is more likely to play into the visitors’ hands. In addition, Maribor have not won any of their last eight European home games, while Plovdiv have only lost two of their last eight international away games.
Our preferred approach is therefore to place a bet on DNB 2 ahead of the second leg between Maribor and Botev Plovdiv. Value is definitely to be discovered at maximum odds of 3.40. We choose three of a possible ten fictitious units as the stake.
