- Hapoel Tel-Aviv are in mixed form with three wins, two draws and five defeats in their last ten matches in all competitions.
- PFC Ludogorets Razgrad are also in mixed form with two wins, three draws and five defeats in their last ten games in all competitions.
A close first-leg affair is anticipated
These two sides will be familiar with each other's style going into Thursday's leg in UEFA Conference League Qualification 2026, and the contrast between Elyaniv Barda's Hapoel Tel-Aviv and Thomas Reis's Ludogorets should make for a tactical battle.
Hapoel will try to control the game through their midfield structure and patient build-up play, whereas Ludogorets will look to play a more European game with compact phases and fast transitions. However, Reis has been in charge of the Bulgarian side since 12 July 2026, and has instilled a more pragmatic approach to the club's game.
The hosts usually line up in a 4-2-3-1 formation with a double pivot, one of whom is a central creator that allows the wide midfielders to receive the ball in the channels. Ludogorets are a bit more flexible when they play with a four-man back line, but tend to lean on a compact block to make it hard to create in central areas, and hit fast once they win the ball, particularly down the flanks.
Form and stats make the case for Ludogorets
Hapoel's form is mixed, but they've done enough recently to suggest they can nick a result here, while Ludogorets form has been patchy too with the edge of victory proving hard to find. Hapoel's home form across all competitions stands at two wins, one draw and two defeats in five matches with six goals scored at an average of 1.20 goals per game.
Ludogorets have one win, one draw and three defeats in the same sample of matches on the road, which suggests they are vulnerable in this first leg away from home. Hapoel lost 2-0 at home to Hapoel Beer-Sheva, were hammered 4-1 away by Maccabi Haifa FC and drew 1-1 at Beitar Jerusalem in their last three.
Ludogorets have also played some good sides recently, drawing 1-1 at home to PFC Levski Sofia, losing 1-0 away to FC CSKA 1948 and beating PFC CSKA Sofia 1-0 at home. The odds suggest that Ludogorets are the favourites here at 147/100, but Hapoel come in at 209/100 while the draw is at 21/10.
Ludogorets to win at 147/100 looks the best bet, but the odds are so tight that taking the draw at 21/10 could be the better play in what is likely to be a tense first-leg encounter.
Both teams to score at 19/20 has some appeal, but BTTS No at 3/4 makes sense in a cagey affair where one side or the other could keep it tight and sharp for long periods in what should be a chess-like affair.
Under 2.5 goals at 57/100 also suits this fixture, which is likely to be a game of patience rather than a shootout.
