Plzen didn’t manage to get a positive result away to Ludogorets in the first leg played seven days ago, since the team not only failed to score a goal, but also conceded twice and now awaits very difficult job to progress into the group stage. Not only that, but they will be having a difficult job to stay competitive in that battle, since the Czech team can’t afford to concede a goal, especially not before scoring one or better to say, two.
The Czechs didn’t look that well into the first leg, playing without self confidence and didn’t press the opponent well during the ninety minutes. Still, they had a goalless draw all the way till their defender Hubnik didn’t make a silly penalty which put the home team into the lead with a goal from Moti in 51st minute, while the home team needed twelve minutes more to double up the lead via Vura for the final result.
Looking at their scores in the domestic league, it’s obvious that everyone in the club cares much more about Champions league for now, as the team has 2-1-1 record for now, coming from a 2:0 defeat at home against Zlin, obviously thinking much more about this re-match, still there’s no doubt that the team dominated that game and deserved more, however the ball simply didn’t find the way to opponents goal. Central defender Marian Cisovsky remains injured from the start of the season.
Bulgarians, on the other side, can be completely happy with their 2:0 lead from the first leg, since they stood very well on the pitch and exactly knew what they wanted, every time with the ball to their feet. They were especially threatening in counter-attacks and it’s obvious that the team’s strong point is that the players know each other very well now.
Their performance in the first leg wasn’t of a high standard, but it still proved to be enough for this challenge, with their start Marcelinho having one of the better matches till now and making a real mess in the visiting defense. Their atmosphere is good inside the locker room, as the team progressed already against Mladost from Montenegro and Crvena zvezda from Serbia in previous rounds.
As for the domestic league, they had 2-0-1 record so far, losing away from home in a derby game against Levski Sofia, but with a 2:0 victory over Montana at home last weekend with goals from Shokolarov and Keseru, they boosted their morale ahead of this much more important game.
Despite serious defeat in the first leg, Czechs are expecting to make a surprise and progress to the Champions League group stage for the third time in their history. I give them advantage for the returning leg, since the Bulgarians don’t need to get a victory here, while it’s about time to see something more positive from the home team that surely has all the quality to get a home victory against Ludogorets at least. The Czech side is anyway known for far worse performances as visitors.
Bet: Plzen Wins @ 2.10
