Ludogorets vs Arsenal Predictions & Betting Tips, Match Previews

Ludogorets were humbled in October when they visited the Emirates. The Bulgarians actually put up a decent fight in their 3-1 loss at home to PSG at the end of September, but in London there wasn’t really any contest as the Gunners hammered them 6-0.

In fairness to Ludogorets they haven’t been dwelling on that hammering, bouncing back with three straight domestic victories which have seen them score 13 goals and concede three. This makes it five wins and two defeats in their last seven matches in all competitions, with both of their defeats being in the Champions League.

This does leave Ludogorets out of the qualification zone in the group stages, but that was expected at the start in such a tough group. They are tied on one point with Basel.

The hosts do have some threatening players at their disposal, with Wanderson and Jonathan Cafu having 17 goals between them in the Champions League and Bulgarian First League. Claudiu Keseru has only netted twice in the Champions League, but he has scored ten league goals already this season. On the balance of things I expect Wanderson to be the main threat for Ludogorets, and backing him to add to his four Champions League goals this season might not be such a bad idea at huge odds of 4/1.

Arsenal aren’t exactly devoid of talent going forward though. Alexis Sanchez bagged two at the weekend to take his tally to eight for the season, two of which have come in the Champions League. Six of these eight goals have been on away turf as well, with one of the remaining two being against Ludogorets in that 6-0 battering. With the Chilean attacker in such fine form I think backing him to score anytime at 8/13 is a very good choice.

Sanchez’ two goals at the weekend helped them to a 4-1 win at the Stadium of Light, with that victory sending them top of the Premier League and extending their unbeaten streak to 14 matches in all competitions. 11 of these 14 have been victories as well.

Away from home the Gunners have won four in a row and are unbeaten since their Champions League defeat to Barcelona in March. Five of their seven games on the road this season have ended in victory, with them scoring an impressive 17 goals and conceding four.

Ludogorets may be in good form domestically, but the competition in the Bulgarian First League doesn’t really compare to Arsenal. The Londoners humbled them last time round, and whilst they are the travellers this time round, I still expect their class to shine. Four of Arsenal’s last six on the road have seen them win by more than a single goal, whilst Ludogorets lost by two goals at home to PSG this season. Backing an Arsenal -1.5 Asian Handicap Win at 1.925 looks a good option, and I’m also going for a 4-1 correct score prediction at 16/1.