Ludogorets and Rijeka meet on Wednesday night in Razgrad for the second leg of their Champions League second qualifying round tie. The first leg ended 0-0 in Croatia, leaving it finely poised heading into this return fixture at Huvepharma Arena.
Ludogorets come into the match unbeaten in five competitive games this season, with three wins and two draws. They have already progressed past Dinamo Minsk in the first qualifying round and have begun their Bulgarian league campaign with back-to-back wins. Their most recent outing was a 1-0 away win at Botev Vratsa. Across those five matches, they have kept four clean sheets and conceded just two goals. Their control has been reflected in the numbers too: Ludogorets had 75% possession in the first leg and allowed just 11 total shots despite playing away from home. In attack, they have been a little wasteful, with only one of nine shots hitting the target in Rijeka, but the overall platform remains strong.
Rijeka, meanwhile, were crowned champions in Croatia last season thanks largely to their defensive discipline. They conceded just 21 goals across the 36-game campaign and lost only twice at home. Their European qualifying campaign last summer saw them ease past KF Dukagjini and B36 before narrowly falling to Lille after extra time in the playoff round. The first leg performance followed their usual pattern: defend deep, counter selectively, and frustrate the opponent. They allowed 75% of the ball but managed five shots on target to Ludogorets’ one.
There has been minimal transfer disruption for either side, with Ludogorets maintaining their core and Rijeka largely untouched from last season’s title-winning squad. With the away goals rule no longer in play, this second leg is a straight shootout. Ludogorets have home advantage, but Rijeka have shown they’re difficult to break down
How the bookies view it: Tight match without many goals
Ludogorets are priced at 1/1 to win the second leg in regulation time, implying a 50% chance of victory. The draw is 28/11 (approximately 28%) while Rijeka are 10/3 outsiders, which reflects a 23% implied probability. Over 2.5 goals is available at 23/20, suggesting the market sees a slight lean toward a low-scoring game, while both teams to score is 19/20, indicating a fairly balanced view on whether Rijeka will find the net in Razgrad. The odds back up the expectation that Ludogorets will control the game but also suggest it could remain tight unless an early goal opens things up.
Head to Head: Only two previous meetings
Ludogorets and Rijeka have faced each other twice. Their most recent meeting came in the first leg of this Champions League second qualifying round tie on 22 July 2025, which ended 0-0 in Croatia. Overall, Ludogorets are unbeaten in the head-to-head, with one win and one draw, scoring twice and conceding once across the two matches.
Players to watch: Bile a constant threat
Yves Erick Bile has started both of Ludogorets’ Champions League qualifiers this season and looks to have nailed down a spot in the front two. He has played 116 minutes so far, scoring once and averaging 2.0 shots on target per game. That is a huge jump from his wider season average last year (0.2 SOT per game) and reflects how prominent he has been when leading the line. In the first leg against Rijeka, he was Ludogorets’ most active forward, producing four shots on target which was more than the entire Rijeka team combined.
He also averages 2.0 shots per game and has already converted once, scoring in the second leg against Dinamo Minsk. His sharpness in the box, combined with Ludogorets' high possession and territorial dominance at home, makes him a strong option for shot-based markets. With the Bulgarian side expected to control the second leg, Bile should see plenty of service and shooting opportunities again. Backing him for 2+ shots, 1+ shot on target, or as an anytime scorer offers good value given his recent output and role.
Predicted line-ups
Ludogorets (5-3-2): Bonmann, Nedyalkov, Verdon, Kurtulus, Son, Vidal, Piotrowski, Kaloc, Tekpetey, Marcus, Bile
Rijeka (4-3-3): Zlomislic, Jankovic, Majstorovic, Radeljic, Devetak, Dantas, Jankovic, Petrovic, Fruk, Menalo, Orec
Anything else catch the eye?
Ludogorets look well positioned to win the second leg. They have been dominant in Razgrad during European qualifying over the past two seasons, winning eight of their last nine home qualifiers. In that run, they have kept six clean sheets and scored multiple goals in six of those matches. Their ability to control games at home is a major strength.
While the first leg ended 0-0, Ludogorets had 75% possession and registered nine shots. Although only one was on target, the underlying play showed they were consistently in the final third. Domestically, they have started the new season with back-to-back clean sheets and a 5-0 win over Septemvri Sofia. Their attack has looked sharper at home, where they have scored in 16 of their last 18 competitive matches.
Rijeka’s strength lies in their shape and discipline, but away from home they are far less threatening. They scored just 15 goals in 18 away league games last season and averaged only 0.83 goals per match. Even in their European campaign last summer, their only away wins came against much weaker opposition. Their last four away games against stronger teams: Dinamo Zagreb (twice), Osijek, and Lille all ended in defeat.
Ludogorets also hold an xPTS edge across their domestic and continental games, having consistently generated more expected goals than they have allowed. Rijeka defended well in the first leg, but their approach suits games at home. In Razgrad, they are unlikely to have the same control or margin for error. With home form, experience, and attacking depth, Ludogorets are clear favourites to edge this tie.
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