Both Levski Sofia and Jagiellonia Białystok have plenty of work to do in the league phase of the UEFA Europa League (UEL) but both sides bring superb domestic form into this encounter.
Match News and Current Form
Levski Sofia have had as middling a UEL campaign as is possible, with three points and a goal difference of zero after three of eight league phase matches. That could actually be classed as somewhat of an overachievement given the decorated Bulgarian league champions were the underdogs in all three games, and their campaign will take on a new perspective this week as they assume favouritism for their second of four games at their temporary home of the National Stadium Vasil Levski. They lost their first home outing 1-0 to Salzburg in mid-September and have not played a competitive match at either home venue since, but an impressive six-game unbeaten run (W4, D2) underpins the high expectations upon them here.
Jagiellonia Białystok are outside of the top 24 on goal difference only after they suffered a bruising 3-0 loss at home to Anderlecht on matchday three. Their three points came via a soft home win over Ararat-Armenia in mid-October, their first and only win in what is their UEL league phase debut, and it's their away form on the continental stage that likely stands between them and going into February and beyond. Jagiellonia have suffered defeat in both away games of this league phase in addition to drawing all three league phase matches of last season’s UEFA Conference League, bringing their overseas travelling credentials into question as they look to build upon the two domestic away wins they recorded between UEL matchdays.
Head-to-Head History
This will be Jagiellonia’s first major European game against any club from Bulgaria. Levski have not played Polish opposition since 1977 (W2, D1, L1).
Hot Stats and Streaks
Seven of Levski’s last eight competitive matches produced under 2.5 goals.
Levski scored 1-2 goals in each of their last six wins in all competitions.
Just three of Jagiellonia’s last 15 competitive games produced under 2.5 goals.
Six of Jagiellonia’s last eight UEFA away games saw both teams score in regulation time.
Key Players to Watch and Missing Players
Levski’s Reinaldo notched up his last two club goals in continental football, with the club boasting a near-perfect record when he scores in any tournament (W7, D1). Jagiellonia are also unbeaten this season when Nik Prelec scores (W5, D1), with his last five competitive goals coming on the road.
Levski Sofia are missing Asen Mitkov and Radoslav Kirilov, whilst Norbert Wojtuszek is out for Jagiellonia.
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Betting Analysis
Levski don’t tend to score big even in victory, so there could be potential value in Levski Sofia to win and under 2.5 goals.
Author: Aaron Murphy