Predictions Champions League - Ludogorets Razgrad vs Qarabag

Champions League - Ludogorets Razgrad vs Qarabag
Match Time: 14-08-2024 01:00 Wednesday (GMT+7)
Football Livescore | Match Prediction & Tips
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It was a busy evening in Baku for Brazilian winger Caio Vidal, who not only headed home a late Ludogorets winner but then saw red for his second bookable offence just a few minutes later.

After Dinis Almeida had seen an opener cancelled out by Qarabag's own Brazil-born forward, Juninho, the Eagles struck again through Vidal, leaving them within touching distance of the Champions League playoffs.

Georgi Dermendzhiev's men were on a streak of six consecutive away defeats in qualifying for Europe's top club competition, but having now ended that run, they can take a precious lead into Tuesday's game at Huvepharma Arena.

Ludogorets have already come through two knockout contests just to reach this stage, seeing off Dinamo Batumi in their first qualifier, then edging past Dinamo Minsk 2-1 on aggregate in the next round.

Another Dinamo would provide their opponents in the playoff round - Croatian giants Dinamo Zagreb - but first they must get past an experienced Qarabag side.

Having already posted two wins from two in the First League so far this season - beating CSKA Sofia before putting five past Arda - the Bulgarian champions were treated to a rest at the weekend, so they should certainly be fresh for the fight.

While Ludogorets won their 13th consecutive title last term, Qarabag claimed top spot in the Azerbaijan Premier League for a 10th time in 11 years - only in the 2020-21 campaign did they come up just short.

As a result of their latest triumph, the Horsemen galloped into the Champions League qualifiers at the second round stage, where they crushed Gibraltar's Lincoln Red Imps 7-0 on aggregate; two league games have subsequently brought seven goals and six points.

Gurban Gurbanov's side have been regular fixtures in Europe since the long-serving head coach took charge back in 2008, and last term's Europa League run only ended at the hands of Bundesliga champions Bayer Leverkusen in the last 16.

After letting victory slip through their fingers on that occasion, Qarabag now have their sights set on reaching the new-look Champions League group phase, which would guarantee a minimum of eight high-profile matches between September and January.

Prediction: Ludogorets Razgrad 2-2 Qarabag FK