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Sports Mole previews Tuesday's Champions League clash between HNK Rijeka and Ludogorets Razgrad, including predictions, team news and possible lineups.

Dreaming of a place in the Champions League's league phase, HNK Rijeka are set to host Ludogorets Razgrad at Stadion Rujevica on Tuesday for the first leg of their second qualifying round tie.

Rijecki bijeli will be hoping that their mixed friendlies form does not carry into UEFA competition, while the Eagles will be aiming to build on their emphatic Parva Liga victory last time out.

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Match preview

Radomir Dalovic's Rijeka are entering the qualification process at the second round after they lifted their second Croatian top-flight title in 2024-25, and having last featured in the Champions League back in 2017-18, they will be desperate to reach the tournament proper.

Last season, Rijecki bijeli were knocked out of the Europa League qualifiers and were later eliminated in the Conference League's playoff round, courtesy of a 6-1 aggregate defeat at the hands of Olimpija Ljubljana.

Ahead of this week's showdown, Dalovic's side have lost two of their three most recent matches, and while it is difficult to glean the true standard of a team from friendly results, fans would be forgiven for feeling worried.

To make matters worse, Rijeka are lacking in competitive action due to the domestic campaign coming to an end, and considering that they have only played five friendlies since late May, they are likely to be less than sharp.

That being said, the visitors could be quietly confident this week - despite losing their most recent home game 1-0 against Goztepe on July 13 - given that they have won six of their last seven competitive clashes on their own turf.

Meanwhile, Rui Mona's Ludogorets started on the path to qualification by winning the Bulgarian top-flight title in 2024-25, and they will be looking to reach the group or league phase for the first time since 2016-17.

Last season's continental campaign was a tough watch for fans of the Eagles, who saw their team struggle in the Europa League and end up 33rd in the table after failing to win any of their eight matches, drawing four and losing four.

Mona's men beat Dinamo Minsk 3-2 on aggregate in the first round, though the manager will be concerned that his team needed an extra-time winner from Eric Bille to spare their blushes after surrendering a two-goal lead.

On the other hand, the visitors scored both home and away, and the fact that they were able to see the job through on the road will serve them well in midweek.

Going into the second leg on even terms would be a strong result for Ludogorets, especially given their poor travelling record that features two draws and two losses from their last four away games.

HNK Rijeka form (all competitions):

Ludogorets Razgrad Champions League form:

Ludogorets Razgrad form (all competitions):

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Team News

Having prepared during their friendlies, Rijeka are likely to start the same XI that ran out against Goztepe, with striker Duje Cop supported by Luka Menalo and Niko Jankovic out wide.

In the centre of the park, Dejan Petrovic should sit in front of the backline, while Merveille Ndockyt and Toni Fruk operate in box-to-box roles.

As for Ludogorets, Eric Bille should start up top once again after netting against Septemvri Sofia on Saturday, backed up by an attacking trio of Stanislav Ivanov, Ivaylo Chochev and Erick Marcus.

If Mona's side require more firepower, then the boss could turn to a number of options including wide man Caio Vidal from the bench.

At the base of midfield, Pedro Naressi will be partnered by Deroy Duarte, and the pair will shield Edvin Kurtulus and Olivier Verdon at the heart of the defence.

HNK Rijeka possible starting lineup:

Zlomislic; Orec, Majstorovic, Radeljic, Devetak; Petrovic; Menalo, Ndockyt, Fruk, Jankovic; Cop 

Ludogorets Razgrad possible starting lineup:

Bonmann; Son, Kurtulus, Verdon, Shishkov; Naressi, Duarte; Ivanov, Chochev, Marcus; Bille

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We say: HNK Rijeka 1-1 Ludogorets Razgrad

 

Rijeka have been strong on their own turf in recent months, but the fact that they have not played a competitive fixture since late May could cause them to start slowly.

In contrast, the experience of winning their first round tie could help to settle Ludogorets into the clash, and push them to take a positive result into the second leg.

For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.

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