Maribor vs Botev Plovdiv Prediction & Betting Tips (18 July)

Maribor leaves with a goal behind but it remains playable. After all, in football, what is a goal? Let us remember that the locals were vice-champions of Slovenia, far behind Celje still 12 points apart. The NK Violets, 16 times national champions, are participating in their 39th European campaign. During the off-season, they participated in a good number of preparation matches for a record of four victories, a draw and a defeat against the toughest opposition of the lot, Rapid Bucharest 0-4.

 The Bulgarian team of Botev therefore had the good idea to win the first leg 2-1, thus offering itself a good option for qualification in the 2nd round but it will not be necessary to give up anything this evening on the road. So, unlike Maribor who obtained their ticket for qualifying for the Europa League by finishing 2nd in their championship, the visitors did not exist in their Bulgarian league by finishing in a pitiful 9th ​​place but they won the national cup at the expense of the excellent Ludogorets team 2-3 on neutral ground. Four preparation matches on the program for a record of 3 victories, Botev still lost to his own reserve team 3-2.

On the Maribor side, midfielder Vrhovec (21 appearances in the league last season) is still on the flank and missing this evening like rookie Borys and defender Zinic (15 appearances in the elite l last year). Author of 17 goals in the league last season, the 2nd top scorer in the Slovenian championship, Jakupovic is still faithful to the position like the 3rd top scorer in the elite last year, the Algerian Soudani (15 goals, 2 assists). Returning from the Euro following the elimination of Slovenia in the 1/8 finals by Portugal, the former Atalanta Bergamo player, Illicic (8 goals, 10 goals in the league last season) was present at the 'go and probably will tonight as well. Ditto for Repas (7 goals, 6 goals last year), Barisic (5 goals, 5 assists) and midfielder Bozic (5 goals, 5 assists). Opposite, Botev had to deal with the departure of the Nigerian Ume Emmanuel (7 goals, 2 assists in the league last season) for Zürich.

The young Lithuanian U21 international, Steponavicius (1 goal, 1 assist last year in the league) took charge of the Bulgarian D2, under the colors of Septemvri Sofia (loan) while the French Antoine Baroan (8 pawns, 3 passes in the championship last year) took the destination of Winterthur (D1 Switzerland). Note the withdrawal from the first leg of the most prolific player last year in the championship, Nikolov (12 goals, injured). Popov (6 goals, 8 assists), Sekulic (6 goals last year) and midfielder Akere (4 goals, 3 goals) should all be on the trip as well as on the outward journey.