Real Betis vs Ludogorets Predictions & Match Preview

Real Betis vs Ludogorets predictions and match preview for Thursday’s UEFA Europa League fixture. Read on for analysis and predicted lineups as Betis aim to make it two wins from two in this group.

Real Betis vs Ludogorets Preview

Real Betis are hoping to continue their impressive start to the season when they host Bulgarian side Ludogorets this Thursday in Seville. Victory would move them onto six points and well on their way to qualification from their Europa League group.

It’s hard not to be impressed by Manuel Pellegrini and Real Betis and they continue to go from strength to strength after two good seasons under the Chilean. They look like serious contenders for a top four finish in LaLiga this term and they managed to beat their most likely rivals for 4th at the weekend with Rodri’s goal enough to see off Villarreal at the Benito Villamarin.

The league will take precedence over the Europa League during this busy early part of the season if Pellegrini’s team selections so far are anything to go by. However his squad has sufficient depth to suggest that rotation won’t deny them three points here. He rested key men in Finland last week but Betis still controlled the game and a brace from Willian Jose secured a 2-0 win over HJK Helsinki.

Ludogorets will be a confident team after they stunned Roma with a 2-1 win on matchday one. That does make life a little bit more interesting in this group which many expected to come down to a straight shootout between Betis and the Italian side. Ludogorets could get themselves into the qualification picture, although their recent record in European competition suggests that would be a surprise.

They only took 2 points in a relatively weak group in last season’s Europa League group stage. The Bulgarian champions were beaten in both legs by Dinamo Zagreb in Champions League qualifying this season and needed Extra Time to see off Žalgiris of Lithuania in the play-off round. They were also beaten 6-0 on their last visit to Spain, which was against Espanyol in the 2019/20 Europa League.

Possible Lineups

Betis: Bravo – Miranda, Edgar, Pezzella, Sabaly – Guardado, Akouokou – Ruibal, Joaquin, Rodri – Willian Jose (4-2-3-1)

Ludogorets: Padt – Nedyalkov, Plastun, Terziev, Karnicnik – Nonato, Yordanov – Despodov, Rick, Delev – Tissera (4-2-3-1)

Score Prediction: Betis 3-0 Ludogorets

Ludogorets’ win over Roma last week may prove to be something of a freak result and it’s hard to look past Betis here. Manuel Pellegrini’s team are playing with confidence and have enough strength in depth to make a few changes and still record a relatively comfortable win.

PLEASE NOTE – Our European predictions are not betting tips! No profits are guaranteed if you’re using them to bet on Spanish teams playing in Europe. If you are gambling, do so responsibly and never stake more than you can afford to lose. BeGambleAware.