Best odds: 16/5
Bookmaker:
Bulgarian side Botev Plovdiv will head to Slovenia for Thursday s Europa League qualifying match against NK Maribor.
The visitors hold a slight advantage going into the second leg, having secured a 2-1 victory at home in the first leg of the first-round qualifying tie.
NK Maribor
Maribor are participating in Europa League qualifying after securing a second-place finish in the Slovenian PrvaLiga last season.
Following their Europa Conference League qualifying campaign last season, Maribor return to the Europa League for the first time since a 3-0 defeat to HJK in the third qualifying round in August 2022.
Two years later, they are battling to reach the second stage of qualifying after a narrow defeat in Bulgaria last week, marking their fifth loss in their last seven away matches in UEFA competition.
With a win needed in the second leg, Maribor will be concerned by their inability to secure regular-time victory in their last eight European home games (five draws, three defeats).
They will now need to win a European home match in 90 minutes for the first time since defeating Urartu in Europa Conference League qualifying in July 2021, if they intend to go through to the next round.
Team News
Maribor boss Ante Simundza is expected to stick with the back four of Pijus Sirvys, Lan Vidmar, Sven Karic, and Martin Milec.
Simundza might consider making a change on the left flank, with Marko Bozic in contention to start after playing the final half-hour of the first leg.
Josip Ilicic, who made his first appearance since representing Slovakia at Euro 2024 by playing the full away leg, is set to operate in the number 10 role behind forward Arnel Jakupovic.
Botev Plovdiv
As for Botev, they are featuring in UEFA competition for the first time in seven years after winning the Bulgarian Cup last season.
The Bulgarian side have prevailed in each of their last five appearances in the first qualifying round of the Europa League/UEFA Cup, andthey are well positioned to continue that impressive run after claiming a 2-1 win in the first leg against Maribor, with goals from Anthony Ujah and Nikola Iliev.
As a result of that narrow win, Botev Plovdiv have now gone 11 home matches without losing in European competition (W8, D3).
They also boast an encouraging record on their travels, with their last eight European matches yielding three wins, three draws, and two defeats.
Team News
Coach Dusan Kerkez will have wait for his medical staff to assess the fitness of Joonas Tamm, who was forced off at half-time last week.
If Tamm is unable to feature, Siriky Diabate is likely to come into the side to partner Antoine Conte in central defence.
Nikola Iliev could be rewarded with a starting spot after coming off the bench to score the potentially crucial winner in the first leg.
Conclusion
Botev Plovdiv have lost just two of their previous eight European away games, and it s likely that they will deliver another strong away performance to hold Maribor to a draw and advance to the next stage of Europa League qualifying.
Verdict: Draw
Best odds: 16/5
Bookmaker:
