Preview: Shamrock Rovers vs. Ludogorets Razgrad - prediction, team news, lineups

Pieros Sotiriou scored twice before Igor Thiago netted a third for Ludogorets in the final exchanges, with the Bulgarian giants winning 3-0 in the first leg between the two sides on July 19.

Match preview

Shamrock comfortably overcame Hibernians in the first qualifying round of this season's competition, running out 3-0 winners in the first leg before drawing the second leg 0-0 to progress to the next round.

Rovers will have to produce a special European performance to advance any further in the tournament, though, following their 3-0 loss to Ludogorets in the first leg last week.

At 2-0, the Hoops would have still been in the contest, but Thiago's effort in the fourth minute of additional time at the end of the 90 has made it an almost impossible task for the home side here.

Shamrock, who played in the group stage of the Europa League back in 2011-12, lost to Flora in the playoff round for last season's Europa Conference League.

Stephen Bradley's side, who have won their domestic title on 19 occasions, will enter this contest off the back of a 1-1 draw with Drogheda United in the league on Saturday, which has left them top of their domestic table, seven points clear of second-placed Dundalk on the same number of games.

Ludogorets, meanwhile, comfortably overcame Niksic in the first qualifying round of this season's Champions League, winning the first leg 2-0 at home before recording a 1-0 victory in the reverse fixture one week later.

The Eagles, who won Bulgaria's top flight for the 11th time last season, played in the group stage of the 2014-15 Champions League, taking on Real Madrid, Basel and Liverpool, while they also made the groups of the 2016-17 tournament, so it would certainly not be a surprise to see them qualify for the group stage this term.

Ludogorets lost to Malmo in the playoff round of last season's Champions League, but they went on to compete in the group stage of the Europa League, finishing fourth in Group F.

Like Shamrock, Ante Simundza's side have been in league action since the first leg last week, playing out a 2-2 draw with CSKA 1948 Sofia on Friday.

A total of seven points from their opening three league games has left them top of the division, and they will continue their domestic campaign against Spartak Verna on Friday night.

Shamrock Rovers Champions League form:

Shamrock Rovers form (all competitions):

Ludogorets Razgrad Champions League form:

Ludogorets Razgrad form (all competitions):

Team News

Shamrock boss Bradley rung the changes for the league clash with Drogheda on Saturday, but the team's key players will be back for this contest on Tuesday night.

Rory Gaffney, Sean Hoare, Lee Grace, Chris McCann and Ronan Finn are among those expected to be brought back into the starting XI for the second leg with Ludogorets.

Richie Towell is set to be Gaffney's partner in the final third of the field, while Roberto Lopes is again likely to feature at the back for the Irish outfit.

As for Ludogorets, head coach also shuffled his pack for their league contest on Friday, with Sotiriou among those left out to prepare for this contest.

Show and Bernard Tekpetey should also return, having only been used off the bench against CSKA 1948 Sofia, with head coach Simundza unlikely to take any chances despite his team's strong advantage.

Cicinho should again feature at right-back for the away side, while the experienced Anton Nedyalkov will again sport the captain's armband from left-back.

Shamrock Rovers possible starting lineup:

Mannus; Lopes, Grace, Hoare; Finn, McCann, Watts, O'Neill, Lyons; Towell, Gaffney

Ludogorets Razgrad possible starting lineup:

Padt; Cicinho, Verdon, Plastun, Nedyalkov; Santana, Show; Rick, Cauly, Tekpetey; Sotiriou

We say: Shamrock Rovers 1-2 Ludogorets Razgrad

Shamrock will still believe that they are capable of turning the tie around, but it is very difficult to imagine that happening considering the strength of their opponent. The hosts might end up only playing for pride, but we are expecting Ludogorets to also win the second leg on Tuesday night.

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