Prediction: Botev Plovdiv vs APOEL

Prediction: Botev Plovdiv to win 1-0

Best Odds: 13/2

Bookmaker: Betfair

Botev Plovdiv and APOEL will face each other in the first leg of the second qualifying round of the UEFA Europa Conference League this week. The match will be held at the Natsionalen Stadion Vasil Levski in Sofia and is scheduled to kick off at 6pm UK time on Wednesday.

Botev Plovdiv

Botev Plovdiv finished third in the regular 2021–22 First Professional Football League table with 46 points from 26 matches. They then ended up third again in the Championship round table with 53 points from 31 games and entered the UEFA Europa Conference League playoff round.

The Canaries have won the Bulgarian league title twice in their history so far. The first time was in 1929, and the second was in 1966-67. Botev Plovdiv have also won the Bulgarian Cup on as many as three occasions and the Bulgarian Supercup thrice.

Botev Plovdiv are traditionally strong at home, and they will be keen to use that advantage against APOEL on Tuesday evening. The Bulgarian outfit have also signed as many as five new players in the summer transfer window and will be determined to progress to the UEFA Europa Conference League group stage for next season.

Team News:

Centre-back Stanislav Rabotov, attacking midfielder Todor Nedelev and left-back Pa Konate are out.

APOEL

APOEL are the biggest and most successful cub of Cyprus and have played in the UEFA Champions League and the UEFA Europa League. Based in Nicosia, APOEL have won the Cypriot Championship a record 28 times. However, their last title success came back in 2018-19. APOEL have also won the Cypriot Cup as many as 21 times and the Cypriot Super Cup on 14 occasions so far in their history.

Sofronis Avgousti’s finished second in 2021–22 Cypriot First Division table last season with 39 points from 22 matches, as many as seven points behind leaders Apollon Limassol. Then in the Championship Round, they ended up third with 52 points from 32 matches, six points behind winners Apollon Limassol and two points behind second-placed AEK Lamaca.

APOEL are the away team in the first leg of the second qualifying round of the UEFA Europa Conference League, and they may feel that they will have an advantage in the tie, especially as they are strong defensively.

Team News:

Centre-forward Giorgi Kvilitaia is injured.

Key Factors to Consider

• Botev Plovdiv and APOEL will face each other for the first time.
• Botev Plovdiv have won 1 of their last 5 competitive matches.
• Botev Plovdiv have lost 2 of their last 5 competitive matches.
• APOEL have lost 1 of their last 5 competitive games.
• APOEL have drawn 3 of their last 5 competitive games.

Conclusion:

Given that Botev Plovdiv are at home for the first leg, they will fancy their chances of winning the match. It is very likely that the Bulgarian club will end up winning the game by a narrow margin.

Prediction: Botev Plovdiv to win 1-0

Best Odds: 13/2

Bookmaker: Betfair