Dinamo Batumi vs Ludogoretz Prediction - Champions League Qualifiers
The task for the Georgians is extremely challenging, given that they lost the first leg 1-3 in Bulgaria last week. As the underdogs from the Black Sea, they need an exceptionally good day at home and also have to hope that the far more internationally experienced “Eagles” might feel too comfortable due to their relatively advantageous position.
Overall, many factors point towards a favorable outcome for the Bulgarian record champions in the second leg of Dinamo Batumi vs. Ludogorets Razgrad, who reached the knockout stage of the Conference League in the 2023/24 season.
Dinamo Batumi – Stats & Current Form
FC Dinamo Batumi has established itself as one of Georgia’s top football clubs in recent years. After winning their first-ever championship in 2021, they defended their title in the latest season (2023). This marks their second qualification attempt for the UEFA Champions League.
In their first attempt during the 2022/23 season, the team failed to move past the initial hurdle, succumbing to Slovan Bratislava in extra time. Unfortunately, an early exit seems imminent once again this summer. Following a 1-3 defeat in Bulgaria, only the most optimistic and die-hard fans hope for a successful advancement to the second qualification round.
Leading betting providers share this scepticism; before the second leg between Dinamo Batumi and Ludogorets Razgrad, staggering odds are offered on the underdog’s progression.
Dinamo Batumi Lagging Behind National Expectations
Technically speaking, an anticipated knockout in the Champions League would continue what has been a rather disappointing season so far. In Georgia, since the league operates on a calendar year, 18 matches have already been played in the Erovnuli Liga.
The defending champions have only secured victory in half of these games (9-4-5). Currently, they hold the fourth position, trailing the leader Dila Gori by eight points. Therefore, the team coached by Andrey Demchenko is significantly underperforming relative to their own expectations.
As for the Champions League return match on Wednesday evening, it is essential to note that the league season for the European Championship participant will only resume in early August. In contrast, the new season in Bulgaria begins this upcoming weekend. Alongside the inferred advantages regarding competitive toughness and sharpness, there is another factor that favors Ludogorets Razgrad over Dinamo Batumi in predictions for the guest.
In fact, Demchenko’s team has failed to win any of their last four home games, securing only one out of a possible twelve points. The pressure to win on Tuesday evening is not likely to benefit the home side, who are of inferior quality.
Ludogorets Razgrad – Statistics & Current Form
Ludogorets Razgrad has been a regular fixture in European tournaments for many years. The Bulgarian champions, who have secured every league title at home since 2012, have twice reached the group stage of the UEFA Champions League, competing against top teams like Liverpool, Real Madrid, Paris St. Germain, and Arsenal.
In the Europa League, they have even progressed to the knockout stages on multiple occasions. Similarly, in the previous Conference League season, they narrowly missed advancing past Servette Geneva, losing 0-1 in aggregate. However, the total market value of the squad, which exceeds 50 million euros, highlights the vastly different ambitions of the financially enhanced club from Northeast Bulgaria compared to their opponents from Georgia.
Ludogorets is in excellent early form
Coach Georgi Dermendzhiev can be very satisfied with the current season’s preparation. Every friendly match has ended in victory. Among others, the team defeated the Swiss top-tier club St. Gallen 2-0, kept a clean sheet in a 1-0 win against Slovan Bratislava, and showcased their offensive prowess with a decisive 4-1 win over Romania’s Universitatea Craiova, highlighting the effectiveness of former Schalke player Bernard Tekpetey.
As the season approaches its start this coming weekend, the reigning champions’ form can therefore be considered very solid. It will be intriguing on Wednesday night to see if the Green-Whites, filled with many South American players, will play for a win or initially focus on their defense given their favorable position.
We believe the latter strategy is far from out of the question, as the Bulgarians recently relied on their strong defensive work in international competitions. However, the team also boasts many excellent transition players who are always capable of striking through counterattacks. With a certain level of efficiency, another victory is definitely possible.
Key-Facts – Dinamo Batumi vs. Ludogorets Razgrad Tip
- Dinamo Batumi is currently in 4th place in the league after 18 matches
- Ludogorets has won all their matches this season (friendlies and the first leg)
- The first leg ended 3-1 in favor of the Bulgarians
Considering that the scenario is likely to benefit the visitors, who excel in counter-attacks and boast a solid defense, we are willing to take a bit of a risk with our betting recommendation. We lean towards betting on the Asian Handicap (-1.25) in favor of the guests. Should the away team win by one goal, half of the stake is refunded. A victory with a margin of two or more goals offers an attractive odds of 2.60.
