Preview: Ludogorets Razgrad vs Athletic Bilbao – prediction, team news, lineups

Sporty Bilbao will travel to Bulgaria on Thursday for the Europa League game against the Bulgarian champions Ludogorets Razgrad.

The hosts are languishing 33rd place overallwhile the Basque team is currently in eighth place.

Game preview

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Ludogorets have made a disappointing start to the first league phase of the Europa League, picking up just one point from their first three games.

The Bulgarian club started the main round with a 2-0 home defeat against Slavia Prague before playing a goalless affair against Viktoria Plzen on the second matchday on their trip to the Czech Republic.

Unfortunately for Ludogorets, they were unable to take anything from their last European away game and conceded two goals in the second half, losing 2-0 to Belgian club Anderlecht.

Currently, Ludogorets sit two points behind the top 24 teams and are one of two clubs yet to score in this season's Europa League main draw.

While they are still looking for their first win in the league phase, the Eagles have had no such problems in the Bulgarian top flight as they have won 11 of their 12 games to move nine points clear at the top of the table.

Ludogorets are preparing for their fourth consecutive home game in all competitions and after winning their last three games 12-0 on aggregate, they will be hoping home advantage can help them secure a valuable win.

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Unlike their hosts, Athletic have made a promising start to the Europa League, recording two wins and a draw from three games.

Aitor Paredes scored a late equalizer to earn Roma a 1-1 draw at the Stadio Olimpico before two second-half goals were enough to condemn AZ Alkmaar to a 2-0 defeat

After defeating AZ in San Mames, Los Leones celebrated another successful home game on matchday three Nico Williams scored the decisive goal in a 1-0 win over Slavia Prague.

After making an unbeaten start to their European campaign, Ernesto ValverdeThe Barcelona side currently occupy one of their eight qualifying places for the round of 16, although they are just outside the top eight on goal difference.

Athletic will be a little frustrated that they will go into Thursday's game on the back of consecutive league draws against Mallorca and Real Betis and have only managed one win from their last five La Liga games.

The goalless draw with Mallorca extended Athletic's winless away streak to three games in all competitions and ensures they are still looking for their first away win since the 2-0 win over Leganes on September 19.

Ludogorets Razgrad Europa League form:

Form of Ludogorets Razgrad (all competitions):

Athletic Bilbao Europa League form:

Athletic Bilbao form (all competitions):

Team news

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Ludogorets cannot rely on the injured trio Anton Nedyalkov, Jakub Piotrowski And Bernard Tekpetey.

Caio Vidal is suspended after his red card on the third matchday Pedro Naressi is suspended for one game due to an accumulation of yellow cards.

Brazilian attacker Erick Marcus is expected to make his third consecutive start after scoring three goals in the last two games.

Visitors are expected to get by without the services of Unai Simon, Mikel Jauregizar And Gorka Guruzeta.

Oihan Sancet must be examined by Athletic's medical staff after suffering an ankle injury in Sunday's draw against Betis.

Alex Berenguer could be rewarded with a starting place after coming on as a substitute and scoring Athletic's equalizer at the weekend.

Possible starting lineup for Ludogorets Razgrad:
Padt; Witry, Verdon, Almeida, son; Marcus, Camara, Chochev, Duarte, Rick; Duah

Possible Athletic Bilbao starting lineup:
Agirrezabala; De Marcos, Vivian, Paredes, Berchiche; Ruiz de Galarreta, Prados; I. Williams, Berenguer, N. Williams; Djalo

We say: Ludogorets Razgrad 1:1 Athletic Bilbao

While Athletic are unbeaten in four competitive games, they are undefeated in their last three away games and with that in mind, we expect the Basque side to settle for a point for Thursday's trip to Bulgaria.

For data analysis of the most likely outcomes, scores and more for this game, please click here.

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