The second leg of the third qualifying round of the 2025/26 Champions League between Ferencvaros (Hungary) and Ludogorets (Bulgaria) will take place on August 12 at the Ferencvaros Stadium in Budapest. The first match ended in a 0-0 draw. Ferencvaros vs. Ludogorets: prediction and betting odds, statistics.
Ferencvaros
The Hungarian champions played a solid match in Bulgaria and achieved a satisfactory result with a 0-0 draw. Notably, Robbie Keane's side had more possession and attempts on goal. They also outperformed their opponents in xG, with 1.78 compared to 0.52. To advance further, the hosts need to win on their home turf in the upcoming match. Interestingly, the last time the Hungarians played to a 0-0 draw away in the first leg of a Champions League qualifier, they failed to progress to the next round – in the 2023/24 season, the club lost to KI Klaksvik (0-0 and 0-3).
- The team has not lost in regular time in 6 of their last 7 Champions League matches (4 wins and 2 draws).
- At least 3 goals have been scored in 7 of Ferencvaros' last 8 home games in this European competition.
- Both teams scored in regular time in 6 of the last 8 home matches of the Hungarians in this tournament.
Predicted lineup for Ferencvaros (3-4-3)
Denes Dibusz – Gabor Szalai, Stefan Gartenmann, Toon Raemaekers – Callum O'Dowda, Chebrail Makreckis, Bence Etvos, Alex Toth – Jonathan Levi, Lenny Joseph, Aleksandar Pesic.
Ludogorets
Rui Mota's side put on a lackluster performance at home, failing to register a single shot on target. Despite this, the team still has a decent chance to advance to the playoff stage of the Champions League, needing to defeat the Hungarians on their field. It's worth noting that in the previous round, the Bulgarians drew both matches against Rijeka, advancing thanks to two goals scored in extra time (0-0 and 1-1, extra time 2-0).
- The club has not scored more than 1 goal in regular time in their last 5 Champions League matches.
- Ludogorets lost in regular time in 7 of their last 9 away matches in this European competition.
- No more than two goals have been scored in regular time in 7 of the team's last 10 matches in this tournament.
Predicted lineup for Ludogorets (4-3-3)
Hendrik Bonmann – Anton Nedyalkov, Dinis Almeida, Son, Edwin Kurtulus – Pedro Naressi, Filip Kaloc, Petar Stanic – Eric Markus, Bernard Tekpetey, Caio Vidal.
Referee
Alejandro Jose Hernandez Hernandez (Spain)
Matches – 8 (International matches, 2024/25);
Yellow cards shown (including second yellows) – 19;
Average yellow cards per match – 2.4;
Red cards shown – 1;
Average fouls per match – 18;
Penalties – 25%.
Ferencvaros vs. Ludogorets: Match Prediction
It seems that the return leg between these opponents will also be low-scoring. The Bulgarians will focus entirely on defending their goal and will try to catch the hosts on counterattacks. Defeating Ludogorets by a confident margin is not easy – in their last 14 Champions League matches, the club has not lost by two or more goals.
The Hungarians, when they win by a significant margin in this European competition, do so against opponents from lower-ranked leagues. Additionally, in their last 6 Champions League games, Ferencvaros has not won by two or more goals. In their last 11 matches in this tournament, they have only managed one convincing victory, which came against the Welsh team New Saints.
My prediction: Ludogorets with a handicap (+1)
