Ludogorets hosts CSKA in the big derby of the second round of the playoffs in the First Six of the efbet League. The residents of Razgrad will, in theory, secure their 13th consecutive national title if they do not lose to the “Reds”, and the difference between the first and second in the standings is exactly ten points. Georgi Dermendzhiev's alumni could have already secured the championship crown, but a late own goal by former CSKA player Anton Nedyalkov allowed Krumovgrad to take a point away from the “green“ for the final 3:3 before the Easter holidays, reports gong.bg.
In this way, Ludogorets' impressive series of 13 consecutive successes in the championship was interrupted, and the team lost its first points since November. After drawing with the newcomers, Dermendzhiev's team defeated Hebar in Pazardzhik for the second time in the semi-finals of the Sesame Cup of Bulgaria and on Wednesday will defend the trophy against Botev Plovdiv at the National Stadium “Vasil Levski”, and can record a second double in a row .
„The Canaries” in turn stopped CSKA in the other 1/2-final after two victories without conceding a goal. Stolichani are not very convincing after the return of Stamen Belchev at the coaching helm, who led the team to another success over Levskiv derby and three points in Kardzhali, but under his leadership the team lost twice to Botev for the Cup. A third consecutive championship win, this time in Razgrad, will further delay the celebrations in Ludogorets, who will not be awarded championship medals anyway, even if they seal the title against the “Reds”. For Ludogorets, the injured Ivan Yordanov and Aslak Von Vitri will miss the match. In CSKA, the situation seems more serious, since five players will be out – the long-term injured Martin Stoychev, Ulaus Skarshem, who is ill, the captain Jürgen Matai due to a heel injury, as well as the suspended Jonathan Lindseth and Seini Sanyang. Ivan Turitsov returns to the team, as well as the Brazilian striker Fernando Karanga after serving a sanction.
Earlier in the season, the two teams already faced each other twice, with Ludogorets taking all three points on both occasions – 3:0 in Razgrad and 1:0 in the last match at the "Bulgarian Army" stadium. in December.
Matches from the 32nd round in the First Football League, top six:
Krumovgrad - Loko (Pd) 4:1
Today:
Ludogorets - CSKA-Sofia (7:30 p.m., Diema sport)
On Sunday:
Levski - Black Sea (7:30 p.m., Diema sport)
Matches from round 33 in First Football League, seventh-tenth place
CSKA 1948 - Slavia 0:2 (0:1)
Today:
Arda - Botev (Sat) (17:00, Diema sport)
Matches from round 33 in First Football League, relegation group
On Sunday:
Beroe – Pirin (17.00 table, Diema sport)
On Monday:
Eter - Loko (Sf) (5:45 p.m., Diema sport)
Botev Vratsa – Heber (8:15 p.m., Diema Sport)