Ludogorets vs Ferencvaros Prediction: Varga to have decisive say

Ludogorets and Ferencvaros will both fancy their chances of reaching the league stage of this season's Champions League, with the two teams set to meet in the first leg of their third-qualifying round tie at Ludogorets Arena on Wednesday (18:30 kick-off).

Bulgarian champions Ludogorets have had to work hard to reach this stage, needing extra time to see off first Dinamo Minsk and then Rijeka, while things have been more serene for Ferencvaros under head coach Robbie Keane, the Hungarians claiming home and away wins over Noah. With the winner of this tie facing either Shkendija or Qarabag in the play-off round, there is a real incentive to make a strong start on Wednesday, with a return to Europe's top table remaining a distinct possibility for both sides.

Team news

Ludogorets head coach Rui Mota has no fresh injury concerns to contend with, although he will have to make do without central defender Olivier Verdon, who is suspended.

Ferencvaros are also without a suspended player, defender Ibrahim Cisse, while Serbian forward Aleksandar Pesic is set to miss out due to an unspecified injury.

Ludogorets vs Ferencvaros odds

Ludogorets are the 11/8 favourites to take a lead into next week's return leg in Hungary, while it is 15/8 for Ferencvaros to pick up the victory, the draw can be backed at 2/1.

Visiting forward Barnabas Varga is the favourite in the any-time scorer market at 2/1, closely followed by Ludogorets front man Yves Erick Bile, who is available at 11/5.

Ferencvaros to win and both teams to score @ 5/1

Ludogorets have had to dig deep and, at times, ride their luck to reach this stage of qualifying, but they may get something of a reality check when Ferencvaros come to town.

FTC have started the new season unbeaten, registering three wins and a draw, and while their two victories over Noah in the previous round of qualifying appeared closely fought - they triumphed 2-1 away and 4-3 at home - they always kept their Armenian opponents at arm's length.

What those results do suggest is there is a vulnerability to Ferencvaros defensively - it is just two clean-sheets in 11 for Keane's side in competitive matches - and Ludogorets, who have scored 10 goals across their last three home games alone, can capitalise, albeit that might be as good as it gets for the team from Razgrad.

Barnabas Varga to score last @ 11/2

If Ferencvaros are to emerge from their trip to Bulgaria with a victory, then forward Barnabas Varga could have the decisive say.

Varga, who has eight goals in 23 appearances for Hungary at international level, has netted three times in four games this season, notching the winning goal in both legs of the tie with Noah.

The 30-year-old is 2/1 to score at any time on Wednesday, but given his knack for popping up with winning goals, particularly in Europe, he could be worth siding with to grab the final goal of the night.

Offers

Acca Flex: Place a pre-match 5+ leg Football accumulator and get a CASH bonus up to 100% if all of your selections win or your money back as CASH if one leg lets you down

Click here for the latest Football Odds

You can read all our latest Football Betting Tips at our dedicated Betfred Insights content hub.