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Match preview
Will the 11-in-a-row champions of Bulgaria win a knockout phase match for the first time in a decade?
To date, Ludogorets’ sole victory at this stage of a UEFA competition came against Lazio in 2013, before being hammered by Valencia.
Since, the Eagles have lost all three knockout ties, against København, A.C. Milan and Inter, but will feel they have a good chance of ending that sequence.
So far this season, Ante Šimundža’s side have played 14 European matches, finishing third in their Europa League group.
Ludogorets did beat both Roma and HJK in Razgrad, but have won just two of their last 17 continental fixtures on the road, these against Shakhtyor Soligorsk and Sutjeska Nikšić; not exactly heavyweights.
So, if the Bulgarian champions are going to get through this tie, they’ll be targeting a first leg victory.
In more recent times, just getting into a group phase is a success, with this season their first for four years.
The Purples and Whites lost both meetings with West Ham, but went unbeaten against FCSB and Silkeborg, keeping three clean sheets.
Domestically though, Anderlecht are tenth in the Jupiler Pro League, with Head Coach Felice Mazzù sacked and replaced by Brian Riemer back in October.
So, while this tie is tough to call, Ludogorets will be confident of a first leg victory at Huvepharma Arena.
Ludogorets Razgrad team news
Centre-back Olivier Verdon is serving the first of his three-game ban, having been sent off at Stadio Olimpico in November.
Captain Anton Nedyalkov and Jakub Piotrowski are also suspended, both due to yellow card accumulation.
Brazilian winger Rick, who scored in that aforementioned defeat to Roma, has since torn his knee ligaments.
Anderlecht team news
Centre-back Hannes Delcroix and midfielder Marco Kana are both out injured.
Forward Fábio Silva, who scored 11 goals in the first half of the season, has since been recalled by Wolves and joined PSV on loan instead.
His replacement, Islam Slimani, scored his first Anderlecht goal against Sint-Truiden on Sunday, and has previously netted 11 times, for four different clubs, in European tournaments.
Captain Jan Vertonghen is another familiar face, set to make his 126th appearances in UEFA competition.
Ludogorets Razgrad vs Anderlecht: Head to head statistics
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