Champions League
2019-07-17 - Ludogorets vs Ferencvaros
A Sports Betting Pick by Auls
Football: Champions League First Qualifying Round Second Leg
Wednesday 17th July 2019 - Kick Off 6:30pm (British Time)
Preview
Earning an away goal in the First Leg and also having their domestic season getting underway may give Ludogorets the chance to edge out Ferencvaros in this First Qualifying Round tie. Both clubs will know there is a big opportunity in front of them to reach the Third Qualifying Round as the winning team is likely to be presented with a very good looking tie in the Second Qualifying Round, but neither of the clubs will be overlooking the other after the close First Leg.
The away goal scored by Ludogorets might be given some weight considering Ferencvaros could only bring a 2-1 lead to Bulgaria. Both clubs have plenty of recent European experience as far as the Qualifiers go, but it is Ludogorets who have earned their way into the Group Stages of either the Champions League or Europa League and I think those experiences will be crucial for overturning this tie.
Ludogorets have won 2 of their 3 fixtures to open the 2019/20 season with the exception being the defeat in Hungary in the First Leg of this tie. They do have a good home record in recent Qualifiers, but none of the fans will have forgotten being Knocked Out of the Champions League by Vidi twelve months ago, a club who were the Hungarian Champions like Ferencvaros are this time around.
Last season Ludogorets were only beaten in 1 of their 7 home games though and they did earn the win in 3 of those ties. They had to face some strong European teams in that run and Ludogorets will believe they can score the goals which will help them win this Second Leg and the tie as a whole.
Some of the confidence will have to come from the fact that Ferencvaros have not made it past the Second Qualifying Round in any of their last 7 European seasons. Twelve months ago Ferencvaros were beaten in the First Qualifying Round of the Europa League by Maccabi Tel Aviv, but the Hungarian Champions have also only been beaten in 1 of their last 4 away games in Europe.
Ferencvaros have only lost 1 of their last 8 games in all competitions, but this could be arguably their toughest test in that time.
These teams are meeting in Bulgaria for the first time. Ferencvaros have lost on 3 of their 4 visits to the country, while Ludogorets have won 9 of their last 10 home Qualifiers.
Prediction
A finely balanced Second Leg is set to come between Ludogorets and Ferencvaros and my feeling is that the home advantage for the former is going to be a key reason they are able to come through this tie.
Both teams will feel they have the edge after Ferencvaros won 2-1 in Hungary and the first goal is going to be a critical one in the grand scheme of things. Ludogorets have been very strong through the Qualifiers in recent years though and Ferencvaros have not been able to negotiate the Rounds nearly as well.
My feeling is that Ludogorets will be able to score the first goal and they can perhaps put this tie to bed with a late counter attack when Ferencvaros have to commit men forward.
The Pick :
Ludogorets 2-0 Ferencvaros
