MX23RW : Tuesday, December 24 05:20:50| >> :600:1111986:1111986:
[monks data]
Ludogorets
Conference League | Knockout Round Playoffs | 2nd Leg
Feb 22, 2024 at 5.45pm UK
Huvepharma Arena (Razgrad)
Servette

Ludogorets
0 - 1
Servette


Vidal (13'), Piotrowski (77'), Son (89')
FT(HT: 0-1)
Cognat (6')
Cognat (5'), Bolla (31'), Mazikou (54')

Preview: Ludogorets Razgrad vs. Servette - prediction, team news, lineups

Sports Mole previews Thursday's Europa Conference League clash between Ludogorets Razgrad and Servette, including predictions, team news and possible lineups.

Ludogorets Razgrad and Servette will be bidding to reach the last 16 of the Europa Conference League when they square off on Thursday evening.

The first leg between the Bulgarian and Swiss sides ended in a goalless draw, keeping the tie in the balance as they bid to make a rare appearance in the latter stages of a continental competition.


Match preview

Ludogorets Razgrad coach Georgi Dermendzhiev before the match on February 15, 2024© Reuters

While Ludogorets are very much regulars on the European scene, they are yet to make the breakthrough when it comes to reaching the last 16 of a tournament.

However, they are just one home win away from achieving that feat having earned a credible goalless draw in Switzerland last week, extending their unbeaten run in this competition to four games in the process.

Having conceded 10 goals in away defeats to Nordsjaelland and Fenerbahce before the end of October, Ludogorets have bounced back impressively to reach this stage.

Georgi Dermendzhiev's side came through the group phase with three wins at their home ground, scoring seven goals without conceding, and it makes them considerable favourites to progress.

That particularly rings true having defeated title rivals Cherno More by a 3-1 scoreline on Monday night, taking them to the top of the domestic standings.

From Servette's perspective, you have to go all the way back to the 2001-02 UEFA Cup for the last time that they went deep in a European competition.

Dropping down from the Europa League after a third-placed finish may prove to be a blessing in disguise on that front, even after holding Roma to a draw in the first half of the season.

Nevertheless, despite sitting in second spot in the Swiss top flight, Servette was underdogs to progress and Rene Weiler's side have not been convincing of late.

Either side of the goalless draw in the first leg, a 2-1 defeat came at the hands of Yverdon Sport before they responded by defeating Lugano by the same scoreline at the weekend.

Ludogorets Razgrad Europa Conference League form:


Ludogorets Razgrad form (all competitions):
  • W
  • W
  • W
  • D
  • D
  • W

Servette Europa Conference League form:


Servette form (all competitions):



Team News

Servette coach Rene Weiler before the match on November 30, 2023© Reuters

Although Bernard Tekpetey was withdrawn during the closing stages a week ago with a knock, he recovered to come through 86 minutes against Cherno More.

Despite the quick turnaround, the team from that fixture could look similar to the one named on Thursday, with winger Caio Vidal missing out after starting the first leg.

Weiler made a number of changes to the Servette XI for their weekend fixture, including goalkeeper Jeremy Frick dropping down to the substitutes' bench.

The 30-year-old should return to the fold for this game, but Alexis Antunes and Dereck Kutesa will hope to keep their spots in the final third.

That would see former Wolverhampton Wanderers man Bendeguz Bolla stay among the replacements, despite making 27 appearances this campaign.


Ludogorets Razgrad possible starting lineup:
Padt; Witry, Verdon, Sundberg, Son; Pedro Nare, Goncalves; Tekpetey, Piotrowski, Rick; Duah

Servette possible starting lineup:
Frick; Tsunemoto, Rouiller, Severin, Mazikou; Stevanovic, Ondoua, Magnin, Kutesa; Antunes; Guillemenot


SM words green background

We say: Ludogorets Razgrad 2-1 Servette (Ludogorets Razgrad to win 2-1 on aggregate)

This has all the makings of a contest that could go either way, Servette more than capable of halting Ludogorets' impressive run in Europe. Nevertheless, we are backing the Bulgarian side to make full use of home advantage, potentially through scoring a late goal to secure their progress.


For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.




ID:537142:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:collect10064:
Written by
Darren Plant

Previews by email

Click here to get Sports Mole's daily email of previews and predictions for every major game!


Game History

How you voted: Ludogorets vs Servette

Ludogorets Razgrad
59.7%
Draw
19.4%
Servette
21.0%
62
Collect / Create New Data
Share this article now:
Eintracht Frankfurt coach Dino Toppmoller reacts during the match on December 9, 2023
Read Next:
Frankfurt handed Union SG test in Conference League playoff round
>
Sports Mole Logo
Enter your email address to subscribe to Sports Mole's free daily transfer newsletter! Sent twice a day during the transfer window.
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS

League Phase

TeamPWDLPTS
1Chelsea660018
2Guimaraes642014
3Fiorentina641113
4Rapid Vienna641113
5Djurgarden641113
6Lugano641113
7Legia640212
8APOEL632111
9Shamrock632111
10Cercle Brugge632111
11Jagiellonia632111
12Heidenheim631210
13Pafos631210
14Panathinaikos631210
15Betis631210
16Ljubljana631210
17Gent63039
18Vikingur 62228
19Copenhagen62228
20Borac Banja Luka62228
21Hearts62137
22Celje62137
23Omonia62137
24Molde62137
25Backa Topola62137
26Istanbul61326
27Mlada Boleslav62046
28Astana61235
29St Gallen61235
30HJK Helsinki61144
31Noah61144
32Dinamo Minsk61053
33New Saints61053
34Larne61053
35LASK60333
36Petrocub60242


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!