Home - Botev Plovdiv
- The home team Botev Plovdiv have won four and drawn one of their last five matches in all competitions, including a 5-0 rout of Spartak Varna and a 1-1 draw with Lokomotiv Plovdiv.
- Botev are in better shape under caretaker manager Lachezar Baltanov, whose arrival has coincided with a resurgence in results.
- Franklin ‘Mascote’ is their main targetman and has been a revelation since his arrival, while Nikolay Minkov is a constant threat from the right, providing assists as well as goals.
Away - Lokomotiv Plovdiv
- Lokomotiv Plovdiv have won one, drawn three and lost one of their last five, with the exception being a 0-5 defeat away to CSKA 1948, suggesting a scrappy game is likely.
- Lokomotiv are a structured, disciplined side under Dušan Kosić who sets up his team to be compact and defensive and strike on the break.
- Central defender Martin Ruskov is still out with a long-term injury while Parvizdzhon Umarbayev, Lokomotiv’s creative engine in midfield and ranking among the league's assist leaders, could be a doubtful starter.
- Lokomotiv also have several players at risk of suspension on Sunday, so Kosić’s options are severely limited for this game.
Head-to-Head
The head-to-head record has been very even since 2005 and three of the last four Plovdiv derbies have been either drawn or settled by one goal.
Key Players
- Lokomotiv will have Juan Perea, their best targetman, to go up against the Botev defence on Sunday, but Bojan Milosavljević’s shot-stopping has been just as important, vital in keeping clean sheets during tight matches.
- Central defender Martin Ruskov is still out with a long-term injury while Parvizdzhon Umarbayev, Lokomotiv’s creative engine in midfield and ranking among the league's assist leaders, could be a doubtful starter.
Betting Insights
The hosts are slight favorites at 1.94 , with Lokomotiv 3.85 and the draw 3.35 .
Prediction
- Lokomotiv will be looking to keep it tight in midfield where they are more compact and a changeable spring day with a chance of rain will also slow this game down a notch.
- I am taking the ‘Under 2.5 goals’ at 1.71 to be the best value bet on this Plovdiv derby and the most likely outcome to be either a draw or a home win, by a single goal.
- The atmosphere will be charged at Stadion Hristo Botev with demand for tickets through the roof and a crowd that will be passionate in supporting their team.
- But I believe Lokomotiv will keep it compact and wait for their chance to score, with a single piece of magic or defensive mistake likely to be all that separates the sides in what will be a physical battle.
