Ludogorets vs Athletic Bilbao Preview & Prediction | 2024-25 UEFA Europa League | League Phase
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Bulgarian champions Ludogorets Razgrad are once again rampant in the Bulgarian First League as they sit at the top-of-the-table domestically. They now line up to face Athletic Club in the Ludogorets Arena.
KICK-OFF DATE/TIME: Thursday 7th November, 2024 - UK – 5:45pm / US ET – 12:45pm / US PT – 9:45am
HOW TO WATCH ON TV: UK – TNT Sports / US – Not televised
HOW TO WATCH ONLINE: UK – Discovery+ / US – Paramount+
LUDOGORETS PREVIEW: TAKING IT INTO EUROPE
Under the management of Al Raed boss Igor Jovacevic, Ludogorets Razgrad are once again sitting comfortably at the top-of-the-table and they have won the Bulgarian title in every season since winning their first title in the 2011/12 campaign. They most recently hammered Hebar 1918 by three goals to nil in the league at the weekend.
In the UEFA Europa League, Ludogorets were beaten 2-0 by Slavia Prague in their opening encounter in mid-to-late-September. A couple of weeks after that they then shared a goalless draw in the Cech Republic against Viktoria Plzen. Their most recent European outing saw them beaten 2-0 by Anderlecht a couple of weeks ago.
ATHLETIC BILBAO PREVIEW: CREATING HISTORY
For the first time in over 40 years last season, Athletic Club won a trophy as they defeated Real Mallorca on penalties in the final of the Copa del Rey. The Basque giants now have the hope and potential dream of winning another trophy with this season’s UEFA Europa League with their home ground, San Mames, where the final of the competition will take place.
Athletic have an abundance of young attacking stars with former Barcelona manager Ernesto Valverde at the helm. They come into this one on the back of a 1-1 draw with Real Betis at the aforementioned San Mames in La Liga. That means they have suffered just three defeats in their 15 matches across all competitions so far this season.
LUDOGORETS TEAM NEWS: JUST A DOUBT
Ludogorets Razgrad have more or less a fully fit and available squad for this week’s clash with Athletic Club so they will be able to name an unchanged eleven if they so choose for this one.
With no fresh injury issues, that doesn’t mean they aren’t still dealing with a couple of things as Anton Nedyalkov remains a major injury doubt for the Bulgarians.
PREDICTED XI (4-3-3): Bonmann; Fonn Witry, Verdon, Almeida, Son; Chochev, Naressi, Duarte; Caio Vidal, Duah, Rick
UNAVAILABLE:
QUESTIONABLE: Nedyalkov (Injured)
ATHLETIC BILBAO TEAM NEWS: KEY ABSENTEES
Athletic Club are dealing with key absentees throughout the spine of their side with three new injuries joining Spain’s number one goalkeeper Unai Simon on the sidelines.
Defensive midfielder Mikel Jauregizar is unavailable for Athletic with attacking midfielder Oihan Sancet also out, whilst Gorka Guruzeta also has a back injury.
PREDICTED XI (4-2-3-1): Julen Agirrezabala; Oscar de Marcos, Dani Vivian, Aitor Paredes, Yuri Berchiche; Inigo Ruiz de Galarreta, Benat Prados; Inaki Williams, Alex Berenguer, Nico Williams; Alvaro Djalo
UNAVAILABLE: Unai Simon (Injured), Mikel Jauregizar (Injured), Oihan Sancet (Injured), Gorka Guruzeta (Injured)
QUESTIONABLE:
LUDOGORETS VS ATHLETIC BILBAO PREDICTION
Ludogorets Razgrad are in excellent form domestically and almost score for fun in Bulgaria but the clear step up in quality has been clear with their performances and results in the UEFA Europa League. They face an Athletic side that will head to Razgrad as firm favourites, albeit the lack of Oihan Sancet and Gorka Guruzeta means they will likely have to once again settle for grinding out three points.
LUDOGORETS VS ATHLETIC BILBAO TIP: ATHLETIC CLUB TO WIN & UNDER 3.5 GOALS
