PFC Lokomotiv Plovdiv 1936

vs

PFC Botev Plovdiv 1912

Preview

Lokomotiv Plovdiv

• Lokomotiv have won 9, drawn 4 and lost 4 in their previous 17 Parva Liga home fixtures and, with that record, we feel they are worth some support against Botev Plovdiv 1912 on Monday.
• Dusan Kosic’s pragmatic approach ensures Lokomotiv are always well-organised and tough to break down, particularly when they are up against city rivals Botev.
• Lokomotiv have conceded just 0.94 goals per home game and are a real threat from set-pieces.

Botev Plovdiv

• Botev Plovdiv 1912 are fourth with 46 points and still have a shot at a European berth, but their recent form has been mixed with two wins and three defeats from their last five games.
• Botev are certainly more attack-minded under Baltanov’s watch, which means they have been playing with more style and purpose, although they are more open to the break too.
• Baltanov’s men have averaged 1.41 goals scored and 1.18 conceded per away match this season.

Head-to-Head

• Lokomotiv Plovdiv have not won their last home derby against PFC Botev Plovdiv.
• Plovdiv derbies are always fierce encounters with lots at stake.

Lokomotiv

• Lokomotiv will be well-organized and dangerous on the break if this fixture is balanced.
• Joel Zwarts has bagged three of Lokomotiv’s last five goals.

Botev

• Lokomotiv can always rely on their structure and the work-rate of the whole team, which makes them difficult to beat in tight games such as these.
• Carlos Meotti has three assists in the last 5 games and links with Botev’s experienced and prolific forwards.

Betting Insights

• Botev are slight favourites at 2.09 with the bookies, but Lokomotiv Plovdiv 1936 are not too far behind at 3.66, which seems fair enough given their recent head-to-head advantage and superior record at Lokomotiv’s home stadium.
• However, with the odds-on team averaging 1.41 goals per away match and Lokomotiv, who concede just 0.94 goals per home game, we are taking Under 2.5 goals at 1.74 here.

Prediction