Lokomotiv Plovdiv
- Lokomotiv Plovdiv sit 6th in the Parva liga 2025/2026 table with 32 points from 20 matches.
- Dusan Kosic, who took over Lokomotiv in December 2024, has brought a tactical flexibility to the club and his side are very capable of building up play in a structured manner through the double pivot.
- However, they have failed to win either of their last 2 league games and need to bounce back on Sunday.
Cherno More Varna
- Cherno More Varna are 4 places above their hosts, having accumulated 34 points from their opening 20 fixtures.
- Cherno More boss Ilian Iliev is the long-serving boss, who is known for his tactical flexibility and ability to get men behind the ball.
- He recently set up his men in a three-at-the-back system, deploying a midblock to sit deep and provide defensive security, before overloading the wings with wide midfielders and wing-backs.
- Midfield engine Vasil Panayotov is the man who anchors the system, while Georgi Lazarov will pose a regular threat with his finishing, notching 2 of Cherno More’s last 5 goals.
- Cherno More have won 5, drawn 3 and lost 2 of their 10 away league matches this season and could be a match for the hosts here.
- They have also scored 12 goals in their 10 away games and know how to create chances when on the road.
Head-to-Head
These sides have drawn 1 of their last 5 clashes and both are in mixed form ( Lokomotiv - W1 D2 L2 and Cherno More - W2 D1 L2 ).
Key Players
- Lokomotiv Plovdiv
- They will usually line up in a 4-2-3-1 and their two central midfielders will dictate the tempo, allowing playmaker Dimitar Iliev to float above the action and provide the killer pass.
- When on the back foot, they can be a threat with their high-pressing game, and they are particularly effective with winger Giovanni, a direct runner with pace, against three-at-the-back systems.
- Cherno More Varna
- Midfield engine Vasil Panayotov is the man who anchors the system, while Georgi Lazarov will pose a regular threat with his finishing, notching 2 of Cherno More’s last 5 goals.
Betting Insights
- The odds for under 2.5 goals are short at 1.47 and the draw at 2.83 appeals more than either side here.
- The home side are a bigger price at 3.03, and with both sides defending well, Cherno More should have a little bit more to edge the game.
Prediction
The last 5 clashes between the two sides at Lokomotiv’s ground have averaged 1.0 goal per game and we think another close and cagey clash is on the cards at Lokomotiv’s ground on Sunday.
