AEK Larnaca vs Ludogorets Prediction & Tips
A key match for both teams is the one that will be played in Cyprus when the AEK Larnaca and Ludogorets, two teams that have not yet scored points in Group A of the UEFA Europa League (EL), are measured with the intention of keeping alive his illusion of advancing to the next round of the contest.
To occupy the lowest place of a group in the EL is nothing new for the AEK, since they finished that position in their only single campaign of the previous group stage. It was in 2011/12 and ended with registration of G1, E2, P3.
However, their 1-0 defeat at home to Zürich last month ended a seven-match unbeaten run at home in the continental competition (G6, E1), which also included seven consecutive matches without scoring.
The seven-time Bulgarian champion, Ludogorets, comes to this match with a new coach as ex-Antoni Zdravkov will take over the reins of the team after the departure of Paulo Autuori. He inherits a team that is not afraid to play offensively as a visitor, since he has lost only three of his last 14 matches in that condition in the EL (G6, E5, P3).
In fact, the 1-0 away defeat by Zürich in their previous match was the first in seven group stage matches as visitors (G4, E2, P1).
This game will be an unexplored territory for both teams, since neither of them has previously faced a rival of this country in European competitions.
Players to watch: Ivan Tričkovski, of AEK, scored six goals in the EL qualifiers. It was the third best record of any player during the preliminary stages.
Claudiu Keşerü scored the first goal of Ludogorets against Leverkusen, but also has a record of competition to his name: he scored the fastest hat-trick of all time (not including the qualifying matches), when he scored three goals in only ten minutes for FCSB against Aalborg in 2014.
Statistics to consider: AEK has been tied at halftime in four of its last five games.
Both teams have scored in eight of the last ten Ludogorets games.
The last three losses away from home by Ludogorets in European competitions came by a score of 1-0.
AEK Larnaca – Ludogorets FREE TIPS
AEK Larnaca – Win @ 2.25
Both teams to score / YES @ 1.80
Over 2.5 Goals @ 1.90
