The winner of this two-legged tie advances to the league stage of this competition

28 August 2025 - 2:50 pm

Ludogorets will look to overturn the 2-1 lead they conceded against Shkendija in the first leg of the UEFA Europa League playoffs as the sides clash on Thursday.

This match will be played at the Ludogorets Arena, and our prediction is for goals at both ends. The winner of this two-legged tie advances to the league stage of this competition. The losers will drop down to the league phase of the UEFA Conference League.

The Bulgarians started this season in the first round of the Champions League qualifiers, and after losing to Ferencvaros in the third round, they dropped to the Europa League.

Shkendija also followed the same path and lost to Qarabag in the third qualifier of the Champions League to drop down to this stage.

Ludogorets took an early lead in the first leg, but that fizzled out soon, and they lost 2-1. Although the lead is only one goal and can be bridged, the Bulgarians will be wary of a winless run of three matches (D1, L2) coming into this fixture. Home form will be crucial, and with only one goal conceded in their three home European fixtures, Ludogorets have an edge.

Shkendija followed up their win with a 0-0 away draw last weekend. That kept them unbeaten in three fixtures (W2, D1) in all competitions.

Ludogorets Razgrad return to the Huvepharma Arena determined to overturn a narrow 2-1 first-leg loss against Shkendija Tetovo in their Europa League playoff tie. In Skopje, the Bulgarian champions struck first through Deroy Duarte, but they were undone by Liridon Latifi’s free-kick and a second-half winner from Besart Ibraimi.

Despite the defeat, Ludogorets dominated large portions of the game, enjoying more possession and creating the clearer chances. Coach Rui Mota is expected to push his side into a more aggressive shape at home, looking to capitalize on Shkendija’s defensive weaknesses and reestablish control early in the contest.