HNK Rijeka vs Ludogorets Predictions

• Rijeka have drawn three of their last four European home matches
• Ludogorets drew three of their four away games in the League Phase of last season’s Europa League
• The Bulgarians have only lost one of their last seven away fixtures in Europe

Rijeka stubborn at home

Fresh from lifting their second Croatian First League title last season, Rijeka will be keen to make an impact in the Champions League, and they have proven tough to get the better of on home soil in Europe over recent years, as they are unbeaten in their last six continental matches at Stadion HNK Rijeka.

However, wins have not always been forthcoming for Radomir Dalovic’s side, as three of their last four European home games have finished all-square.

This will also be Rijeka’s first competitive match of the season, while visitors Ludogorets have already played three times, producing a 5-0 thumping of Septemvri Sofia domestically after edging past Dinamo Minsk in the first round of Champions League qualifying

Ludogorets already up and running

Ludogorets needed extra time to get the better of Dinamo Minsk, salvaging a 2-2 draw during the additional 30 minutes of the away leg after edging to a 1-0 success on home soil in Bulgaria.

Yves Erick Bile’s decisive extra-time leveller in that tie extended Ludogorets’ impressive recent away record in Europe, as they have only lost one of their last seven continental games on their travels, while they drew three of their four away games in the League Phase of last season’s Europa League.

Having already played three competitive fixtures this season, – and with more recent European pedigree than their opponents – Ludogorets are fancied to avoid defeat in Croatia, but Rijeka’s hard-to-beat nature at home means it is hard to go all in on the visitors, bringing the 1-1 correct score into play.