Preview: Sutjeska Niksic vs. Ludogorets Razgrad - prediction, team news, lineups

The Bulgarian champions eased to a 2-0 win at home last week and will hope to finish the job with minimal difficulty in Montenegro.

Match preview

Ending their domestic season with a spate of defeats and losing two of their three friendly matches in June was always going to be a recipe for disaster for Sutjeska Niksic, whose hopes of another go at Champions League qualification this summer are hanging by a thread.

Goals from Alex Santana and substitute Matias Tissera in the second half got the job done in convincing fashion for Ludogorets in the first leg, and this week's hosts need to be perfect in every department to stand a chance of turning the tie around.

Milija Savovic's men were crowned champions of Montenegro for the fifth time in the last 10 years in the 2021-22 season, but they have only ever got as far as the second round of Champions League Qualifying, and finding the back of the net in Europe is not their forte.

In the last four ties in which they have been eliminated from the continent's top competition, Sutjeska have only managed one goal in eight matches, which hardly bodes well against a Ludogorets outfit with a far greater European pedigree.

Meanwhile, the formula for serial Bulgarian champions Ludogorets is simple - avoid a calamitous collapse away from home and they will be one step closer to returning to the pinnacle of European football in the Champions League group stages.

Ante Simundza's side have been crowned national champions 11 seasons in a row, but their sheer dominance of the Parva Liga has only translated into two Champions League group-stage appearances in 2014-15 and 2016-17, and they have since fallen at one stage of Qualifying or another.

Only once have Ludogorets bowed out at the very first hurdle, going down to Ferencvaros in the 2019-20 edition, and they made it to the playoff round last year before being sent packing by Swedish powerhouses Malmo.

Ludogorets began the defence of their Bulgarian top-flight title on Friday night and got off to the perfect start with a 3-0 thumping of Septemvri Sofia, although the writing was on the wall from 22nd minute when captain Kristiyan Peshov saw red for the hosts.

Attention now turns to another continental outing for the Eagles, who will face either Shamrock Rovers or Hibernians in the second round should they complete the job at the DG Arena.

Sutjeska Niksic Champions League form:

Ludogorets Razgrad Champions League form:

Ludogorets Razgrad form (all competitions):

Team News

Sutjeska Niksic did not lose any players to injury in their first-leg defeat, but Savovic will certainly ponder some changes in the final third to give his side the best chance of advancing.

New arrival Tyrone Conraad will hope to be given the opportunity to lead the line ahead of Zakaria Elmabruk Alharaish, with Yuliyan Nenov occupying the space on the right flank.

As for Ludogorets, centre-back Olivier Verdon was serving a suspension in league action on the opening matchday, but the 26-year-old is fine to feature in the Champions League.

Zan Karnicnik may therefore be forced to relinquish his place in defence, and Cauly's goal on Friday could be enough to see him fill the number 10 role ahead of Dominik Yankov.

Tissera and Pieros Sotiriou are embroiled in a heated battle for the number nine spot, while Kiril Despodov will endeavour to demote Bernard Tekpetey down to the bench after a pair of substitute outings.

Sutjeska Niksic possible starting lineup:

Giljen; Grivic, Rudovic, Drincic, Stijepovic; Matanovic, Krstovic, Erakovic; Nenov, Conraad, Tucevic

Ludogorets Razgrad possible starting lineup:

Padt; Cicinho, Plastun, Verdon, Nedyalkov; Santana, Goncalves; Despodov, Cauly, Rick; Sotiriou

We say: Sutjeska Niksic 0-1 Ludogorets Razgrad (Ludogorets win 3-0 on aggregate)

Sutjeska will have enjoyed a longer recovery period for this contest than Ludogorets, but Simundza's side have started the season as they mean to go on, and momentum is firmly on their side.

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