Not one of this week’s glamour ties, to say the least, but Ludogorets versus Chornomorets offers the best betting opportunity on Thursday and I am with the hosts.
Ludogorets have made giant strides domestically in Bulgaria in recent seasons, winning the double last term having only formed as a club in 2001, and the current A Group champions have taken the Europa League by storm.
Ludogorets only failed at the final hurdle in their bid to qualify for the Champions League group stage, that would have been truly remarkable, beaten by Basel over two legs, but are yet to concede in Europe this term and it is three wins from three.
A 3-0 thrashing of Dinamo Zagreb at home was impressive but their 2-0 win in Eindhoven over PSV eclipsed that and qualifying for the last 32 should be a formality.
Ludogorets manager Stoycho Stoev led his team to victory over Thursday’s opponents in Ukraine on matchday three, keeping another clean sheet in a 1-0 win, and I see no reason why they are as big as evens to follow up.
Given their total lack of pedigree Ludogorets will be keen to impress at every opportunity and there is no chance whatsoever of them easing up in Group B.
Clear domestically again, it is 31 wins in 38 home matches since they gained promotion in 2011 and they are crying out to be backed at the prices.
Thursday’s visitors were excellent 2-1 winners in Croatia on opening night but it is now just one victory in seven matches and they have lost both Europa League ties since without scoring.
Finding the opponents net has been a problem, Chornomorets have scored just three goals in that period, and were beaten on their travels in qualifying for the Europa League by the lowly duo of Dacia and Skënderbeu Korçë as well as drawing a blank against Crvena Zvezda.
I just cannot understand why the hosts are on offer at the prices available and anything but a convincing Ludogorets win would surprise.
It’s a tremendous wager.
4pts Back Ludogorets (vs. Chornomorets) @ Evens (Bet Victor)