Ludogorets vs Basel
UEFA Champions League – Group A
Date: Wednesday, 23rd November 2016.
Kick-off at 19:45 UK.
Venue: Ludogorets Arena, Razgrad.
Ludogorets vs Basel on matchday 5 at the Vasil Levski National Stadium in Sofia will likely determine, which of the two clubs will advance to the round of 32 of the Europa League. The two minnows were drawn into Group A with Arsenal, and Paris Saint-Germain.
It is no surprise that the two giants have dominated the group, as both clubs are unbeaten with ten points each. Ludogorets and Basel at the meantime have collected one point each from matchday 1 when the two clubs were playing one another in Basel.
Neither team is expected to collect any points on matchday 6, as Ludogorets Razgrad are traveling to Paris, and Basel entertains Arsenal. This means that under normal circumstances the match between the two can be understood as a fight over who will finish third in the group.
Futbolgrad believed before the group stage that Razgrad would finish fourth in Group A, as Basel has developed a reputation as a giant killer in recent years. But the Swiss were unable to replicate their success from 2011, when they knocked Manchester United out in the group stage, in 2013, when they defeated Chelsea in London, and in 2014, when they reached the knockout stage after defeating Liverpool FC.
This season, however, there was no miracle against an English club for Basel, and in fact the Swiss are in danger of reaching the Europa League knockout stage, as Ludogorets holds a small advantage going into matchday 5.
The 1-1 draw between the two clubs on matchday 1 means that the Bulgarians currently hold the away goal advantage. This means that a 0-0 draw, coupled with a likely loss for both teams on matchday 6 would see the Bulgarians through. But there are likely to be goals in this match, as both teams are currently on a good run of form.
Razgrad are first in the Parva Liga three points ahead of Levski Sofia, and the Eagles handily dispatched PFK Beroe on Friday to maintain their lead on top of the table. Basel meanwhile are dominating the Swiss Super League, as they are 15 points ahead of second placed Young Boys Bern, and defeated FC Vaduz 6-0 on Saturday.
This will be a tight and entertaining game in which the Swiss will be slight favourites to walk away with the victory.
Ludogorets vs Basel: Head to Head Statistics
Ludogorets Razgrad and Basel met 5 times previously, and Basel have been the better side in their previous meetings. Basel have won 3 of their last 5 games against Ludogorets, drawn once and lost once.
On Bulgarian soil, Basel have lost once and won once against Ludogorets but they have drawn none. Also Basel have a good goal ratio against Ludogorets with 11 goals compared to Ludogorets’ 4 goals.
Both teams have never played a game against any other teams from their opponent’s country.
Ludogorets vs Basel: Prediction
The game ended draw against Switzerland, but there will definitely be a winner in this one. Basel were unlucky against PSG in their last UCL outing as Die’s red card cost them the game. This time they will careful to avoid so incident from happening again.
The two team are on a good run in their domestic leagues, but the Bulgarian side may lose or share the points with Basel.
Ludogorets vs Basel: Betting Prediction
The following Odds are provided by .
Basel to win at 7/4 (2.75)
Both teams to score – YES at 8/11 (1.72).
