Real Betis welcome Ludogorets Razgrad to the Estadio Benito Villamarin for their second fixture in Group C of the Europa League on Thursday.
Both sides claimed maximum points in their opening group game last week, and the victors of this contest will end the night at the summit.
Match preview
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After suffering their first defeat of the new season at the hands of Real Madrid in La Liga, Real Betis responded with a 2-0 victory away against HJK Helsinki in their opening Europa League group game last week.
Los Verdiblancos only recorded five of their 20 shots on target, but a brace from William Jose was enough to secure maximum points in Finland.
Manuel Pellegrini's men, who won the Copa Del Rey last term, followed up their European win over HJK with a slender 1-0 victory in La Liga at home to Villarreal last weekend, with Rodri netting the only goal of the game just after the hour mark.
Real Betis now turn their attention to Thursday's Group C encounter against Ludogorets, who claimed a surprising victory at home to last season's Europa Conference League winners Roma in their opening group game last week.
Los Verdiblancos have never faced Bulgarian opposition in European competition, but they will be confident of success against Ludogorets as they have never lost a Europa League group game on home soil, winning five times and drawing the other four, while also keeping six clean sheets in the process.
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As mentioned earlier, Ludogorets secured one of the most surprising results of matchday one in the Europa League group stages, as they won 2-1 at home against Serie A outfit Roma.
Jose Mourinho's side thought that they had snatched a point in the 86th minutes when Eldor Shomurodov cancelled out Cauly's opener, but Ludogorets regained the lead just two minutes later courtesy of a strike from substitute Nonato – his first goal for the club since joining earlier this month.
Ludogorets have since extended their unbeaten run across all competitions to eight matches after they claimed a comfortable 4-0 victory away at Botev Vratsa in the Bulgarian top flight last weekend.
Ante Simundza's side have made a strong start to their domestic campaign as they have won seven and drawn one of their opening eight league matches, scoring 29 times and conceding only four in the process.
The Eagles, who have been eliminated in the Europa League group stage in the last two seasons, head into Thursday's clash with Real Betis having won only two of their last 19 away matches in the competition. They have also lost all six of their previous encounters with Spanish opposition, conceding 17 goals and scoring only once.
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Team News
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Real Betis will be without Victor Camarasa (ACL), Nabil Fekir (muscle), Juanmi and Victor Ruiz (both ankle) due to injury.
William Carvalho was doubtful for last weekend's game, but he played the full 90 minutes in centre-midfield and could retain his place alongside Guido Rodriguez.
Martin Montoya, Andres Guadrado, Joaquin and William Jose – who all began on the bench against Villarreal – could all be handed starts if Pellegrini decides to freshen up his lineup.
As for Ludogorets, they have a clean bill of health at present so Simundza will have a fully-fit squad to choose from for their fixture in Spain.
A similar side from last week is set to be named again on Thursday, with Bernard Tekpetey, Cauly and Kiril Despodov providing support in attack for central striker Thiago.
Real Betis possible starting lineup:
Silva; Montoya, Pezzella, Gonzalez, Moreno; Rodriguez, Carvalho; Joaquin, Canales, Rodri; William Jose
Ludogorets Razgrad possible starting lineup:
Sluga; Cicinho, Gropper, Verdon, Nedyalkov; Piotrowski, Cafumana; Tekpetey, Cauly, Despodov; Thiago
We say: Real Betis 2-1 Ludogorets Razgrad
Ludogorets should not be underestimated after their win over Roma, but as favourites, Real Betis will still fancy their chances of claiming all three points.
The hosts have an impressive home record at the group stages and we can see them coming away from Thursday's fixture with a slender victory.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Oliver Thomas
