FC Zurich vs Ludogorets Predictions

FC Zurich lock horns with Bulgarian side Ludogorets at the Letzigrund on Thursday, aiming to maintain the great start they have made in Europa League Group A. Having won their opening group match in Cyprus against AEK Larnaca, the Swiss club can take a firm grip on their section with another victory this week.

Der Stadtclub produced a thoroughly professional performance in Cyprus to take maximum points in their first Group A fixture against AEK. A second half Benjamin Kololli penalty was enough to give the visitors the points and though the final 1-0 score was a narrow one, in truth, Zurich always looked comfortable.

They limited their hosts to just one shot on target during the ninety minutes in Cyprus and it’s FC Zurich’s strength in defence that Coach Ludovic Magnin has been leaning heavily on for results so far this season.

FC Zurich have lost just two of their twelve competitive matches in 2018/19, and though one of those defeats was a 0-4 mauling at the hands of Swiss champions Young Boys, that battering stands alone in isolation.

In fact, the four goals they conceded in Berne accounts for 50% of the total league goals they have conceded so far this season. Zurich are currently  on a run of three clean sheets in four and they have allowed their opponents in to score just five times in their last seven outings in all.

However, at the other end the Zurich attack has hit the net just nine times in seven, and four of those goals arrived in one game against lower league Breitenrain in the Swiss Cup. With a tight defence and a forward line that lacks quality, Der Stadtclub are routinely involved in low scoring games. Five of their last seven fixtures saw under 2.5 goals scored in them.

We expect Thursday’s contest against Ludogorets to be similarly low on penalty area action. The Bulgarians are the dominant force domestically and they are aiming to win their sixth successive domestic championship this season. Making an impact on the continent regularly proves a much more difficult task for the club from Razgrad however.

Ludogorets have won just two of their last nine Europa League away matches, though they did manage to draw five of those fixtures. In fact, Thursday’s game could be considered a meeting between two draw specialists – FC Zurich have drawn three of their last four games at the Letzigrund.

We expect the teams to share the spoils in Switzerland again this week. 100% of Ludogorets last nine Europa League away games have finished with under 2.5 goals scored in them. Similarly, five of Zurich’s last six home games have finished under the same goal threshold.

Those numbers are difficult to ignore and it makes sense then to expect another low scoring contest this week. With that considered, we think there is great value to be had in the under 2.5 goal market for this one. Finally, our correct score forecast predicts a 1-1 draw.