Europe - Champions League
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by Sridhar Bhamidi | in Champions League Predictions
Maximising their home advantage could be the agenda for Croatian champions HNK Rijeka as they start in the second qualifying round of the 2025/26 UEFA Champions League with a home leg against Bulgaria’s Ludogorets. This first-leg match on Tuesday in Rijeka between the Whites and the Eagles comes with our prediction of both teams scoring goals. The winner of this two-legged tie proceeds to the third qualifying round, while the losers will be transferred to the Europa League third qualifying round.
Rijeka have always been a tough nut to crack on their home turf, although this is their first competitive match of the campaign. Ludogorets have already played three competitive games in the season, including the first qualifying round, where they needed additional extra time to win the tie.
This match could be a test of Rijeka’s home credentials against Ludogorets’ stubborn away record, as the Bulgarians lost just one of their seven recent away fixtures in European competitions. Which side will blink first? Read further for our analysis, team news, and match predictions.
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The Best Betting Odds for HNK Rijeka v Ludogorets Match
| Bookmaker | 1 | X | 2 | Bonus up to |
|---|---|---|---|---|
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2.15 | 3.1 | 3.3 |
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2.1 | 3.1 | 3.25 |
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2.2 | 3.1 | 3.25 |
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2.2 | 3.1 | 3.25 |
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2.16 | 3.2 | 3.4 |
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What is the prediction for the football match between HNK Rijeka and Ludogorets?
Our prediction for the HNK Rijeka vs Ludogorets match is: both teams to score.
Probabilities according to our algorithm* of possible 1X2 football predictions and best odds for the match on 22/07/2025 between HNK Rijeka and Ludogorets in Champions League :
- The Sportytrader ⭐ algorithm estimates a probability of 40.96% for a win of HNK Rijeka against Ludogorets with odds of 2.26 at 22bet.
- The probability according to Sportytrader ⭐ for a draw between HNK Rijeka vs Ludogorets is 25.03% with odds of 3.3 at 22bet.
- Our prediction model gives a 34.01% chance ⭐ for a win of Ludogorets vs HNK Rijeka with odds of 3.45 at Tonybet.
HNK Rijeka vs Ludogorets Form
HNK Rijeka and Ludogorets Last Matches
3/6 (50%)
0/6 (0%)
3/6 (50%)
Average stats (Last 6 matchs)
13 Jul 2025 - Clubs Friendlies
13 Jul 2025 - Clubs Friendlies
9 Jul 2025 - Clubs Friendlies
29 May 2025 - Croatia Cup
25 May 2025 - Prva HNL
18 May 2025 - Prva HNL
4/6 (67%)
0/6 (0%)
2/6 (33%)
Average stats (Last 6 matchs)
13 Jul 2025 - Clubs Friendlies
13 Jul 2025 - Clubs Friendlies
9 Jul 2025 - Clubs Friendlies
29 May 2025 - Croatia Cup
25 May 2025 - Prva HNL
4 May 2025 - Prva HNL
2/6 (33%)
1/6 (17%)
3/6 (50%)
Average stats (Last 6 matchs)
18 May 2025 - Prva HNL
14 May 2025 - Croatia Cup
10 May 2025 - Prva HNL
27 Apr 2025 - Prva HNL
19 Apr 2025 - Prva HNL
6 Apr 2025 - Prva HNL
2/6 (33%)
3/6 (50%)
1/6 (17%)
Average stats (Last 6 matchs)
19 Jul 2025 - A PFG
16 Jul 2025 - Champions League
9 Jul 2025 - Champions League
1 Jul 2025 - Clubs Friendlies
30 Jun 2025 - Clubs Friendlies
25 Jun 2025 - Clubs Friendlies
2/6 (33%)
2/6 (33%)
2/6 (33%)
Average stats (Last 6 matchs)
19 Jul 2025 - A PFG
9 Jul 2025 - Champions League
1 Jul 2025 - Clubs Friendlies
30 Jun 2025 - Clubs Friendlies
25 Jun 2025 - Clubs Friendlies
21 Jun 2025 - Clubs Friendlies
2/6 (33%)
3/6 (50%)
1/6 (17%)
Average stats (Last 6 matchs)
16 Jul 2025 - Champions League
17 May 2025 - A PFG
13 May 2025 - A PFG
9 May 2025 - A PFG
14 Apr 2025 - A PFG
10 Apr 2025 - Bulgarian Cup
HNK Rijeka - Ludogorets: Form Analysis
HNK Rijeka have played five friendlies to prepare for their competitive season, and those included a 2x60 minute format game. Their performances in those five games have been mixed, with three wins and two losses.
They have conceded in each of those five matches, although four of those fixtures saw them concede exactly once. Three of their last four home games have finished level, and teams coming here have faced a stubborn Rijeka side.
Ludogorets drew four of their last five away games in European competitions.
That included three of four trips in the League phase of last campaign’s Europa League to go with the 2-2 additional extra time draw in the away leg of the first qualifying round against Dinamo Minsk in this season.
That forms part of their sequence of three competitive fixtures this year, with the Bulgarians winning all three. A 5-0 win at the weekend in the domestic league could be a morale booster too, as they look to take the lead back home for the second leg of this tie.
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HNK Rijeka & Ludogorets Squad Analysis
Rijeka have been active in the off-season, adding three players to their roster and offering a contract extension to Dejan Petrovic. Anel Husic, Omar Sijaric, and Dominik Yankov have joined the club, while Lindon Selahi has left the club as a free agent.
The experienced Duje Cop remains an option to play as the lone striker if they line up in their traditional 4-2-3-1 formation. Niko Jankovic is likely to slot in the hole behind the striker to lend creativity to the side.
Ludogorets have been deploying a fluid system under Rui Mota.
The Portuguese was previously managing FC Noah and used a 4-3-1-2 system in the two qualifiers while presenting a more aggressive 4-3-3 formation in the weekend league fixture. They ended up scoring five goals, but expect them to go back to a slightly defensive system.
Ivaylo Chochev started Ludogorets’ scoring in their 5-0 win at the weekend that saw five different scorers. Deroy Duarte also got on the scoresheet, but Pedro Naressi’s creativity could decide if the Bulgarians can win the midfield battle.
Most goals and assists
HNK Rijeka
Ludogorets
I. Chochev
(1 Goals)
,
S. Ivanov
(1 Goals)
, 
E. Bille
(1 Goals)
, HNK Rijeka - Ludogorets Key Points
- In six of their last ten matches in the Champions League qualifiers, Ludogorets have seen both teams score goals.
- That included an away game in the first qualifying round that Ludogorets won via extra time.
- In four of their last eight matches including friendlies, Ludogorets saw both teams score.
- The only match between these sides was a friendly in 2015 that Ludogorets won 2-1.
- Rijeka conceded goals in each of their five friendlies in the pre-season.
- In those five matches, Rijeka scored in three fixtures.
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Our HNK Rijeka vs Ludogorets Prediction
Ludogorets have had more European success and are only the second Bulgarian club to enter the group stages of the Champions League. Rijeka, on the other hand, have never qualified for this competition proper. The Croatians are playing their first competitive match of the campaign and come here after conceding in each of their five friendlies. That said, playing them at this venue could be a tough proposition, as they won their last five fixtures here, including friendlies.
This leg could see some action, and our HNK Rijeka vs PFC Ludogorets 1945 prediction is both teams to score.
HNK Rijeka vs Ludogorets - Other Interesting Predictions
Draw
Ludogorets have a better European pedigree than their hosts and will look to avoid defeat here to stay in control of the tie. Rijeka are a tough team to beat on their home turf, and that makes this tie a tight clash. Both teams could end up sharing the spoils in a close encounter.
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HNK Rijeka vs Ludogorets match : Frequently asked questions
The HNK Rijeka vs PFC Ludogorets 1945 UEFA Champions League match is not shown live on television.
You can follow the game through our live scores. Check out our UEFA Champions League Livescore page!
Elchin Masiyev of Azerbaijan is the match referee for this fixture. He will be assisted on the pitch by Elshad Abdullayev and Parvin Talibov, both from Azerbaijan. Completing the quartet from the same country is the fourth official Farid Hajiyev. Video Assistant Referee is Italy’s Gianluca Aureliano, with Azerbaijan’s Aliyar Aghayev assisting him.
All tips are fully researched and given in good faith, but profits cannot be guaranteed.
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