Ludogorets host Hapoel Tel Aviv on Thursday, 30 July 2026, in the second leg of their UEFA Conference League second qualifying-round tie. The home side must erase a 2-0 deficit after Hapoel secured a commanding first-leg victory on 23 July. That result leaves Ludogorets with little margin for error, while the visitors can approach the return match knowing that preserving their advantage is enough to progress. The winner will meet either Zilina or GKS Katowice in the third qualifying round. Ludogorets have reached the group or league phase of one of UEFA’s three European competitions in each of the last ten seasons, but that sequence is now under pressure. Hapoel, whose most recent European group-stage appearance came in the 2011-12 Europa League, have an opportunity to take a significant step forward by completing the job in Razgrad.

Ludogorets Recent Form and Key Statistics

Ludogorets responded to their first-leg setback by recording a 2-0 away victory against Dunav 2010 on 27 July. That result offered an immediate lift before this decisive European fixture, although their broader recent record stands at three wins and two defeats across the last five matches. During that sequence, they have averaged 0.8 goals scored and 0.6 conceded per game.

Their Conference League numbers currently reflect the opening leg: one match, one defeat, no goals scored and two conceded. The central challenge is therefore clear. Ludogorets need to become more productive in attack without giving Hapoel opportunities to increase the aggregate gap. Even one away goal would make the hosts’ recovery considerably more demanding.

Home form in European competition provides Ludogorets with encouragement. They have won three of their last four European matches at home, drawing the other. However, the available scoring trends point towards controlled contests rather than high-scoring games. Each of their last 15 home matches has finished with fewer than 3.5 total goals, while the same outcome has occurred in their last 15 fixtures across all venues. More significantly, their last 10 matches have all produced under 2.5 total goals.

The first-half pattern is equally notable. The last 10 Ludogorets matches have featured fewer than 1.5 goals before the interval, and at least one team has failed to score in the first half in 28 of their last 30 games. These figures suggest that overturning the deficit may require patience, even though the hosts cannot afford to let too much of the contest pass without reducing Hapoel’s lead. Two of Ludogorets’ last 10 home fixtures ended goalless, while three of their last 14 matches overall also finished without a goal.

Hapoel Tel Aviv Recent Form and Key Statistics

Hapoel Tel Aviv arrive with a two-goal advantage after winning the opening leg 2-0. That success followed a victory in the Toto Cup qualification play-offs, their only other competitive fixture of the season at that point. Their recent results show three wins and two draws from the last five matches, leaving them unbeaten across that five-game sequence. They have averaged 1.4 goals scored and 0.6 conceded per match during that run.

In this Conference League campaign, Hapoel have played once, won once, scored twice and conceded no goals. The clean sheet from the first leg is particularly valuable because it allows the visitors to focus on managing the tie rather than chasing the game. Their position is strong, but the return fixture still presents a different challenge against a Ludogorets side with a positive recent European home record.

The visitors’ away form offers the principal warning sign. Hapoel have not won any of their last four competitive matches on the road, registering two draws and two defeats. That sequence means the first-leg advantage should not be treated as a guarantee of progression. Nevertheless, they do not need an away victory to advance and can afford to prioritise keeping Ludogorets at a safe distance on aggregate.

Hapoel’s first-half statistics also point towards a measured opening. Fewer than 1.5 goals have been scored before half-time in 18 of their last 20 matches. In addition, three of their last 14 away fixtures have ended 0-0. Their recent corner figures have been modest as well, with fewer than 7.5 corners recorded in each of their last four matches. Combined with the first-leg score, these trends indicate that the visitors may be comfortable if the return game develops slowly.

Ludogorets vs Hapoel Tel Aviv Match Analysis

The structure of the tie creates contrasting requirements. Ludogorets must score at least twice to eliminate the deficit, while Hapoel begin with the freedom to protect what they already have. The hosts’ three wins in their previous four European home games provide a foundation for a response, and the 2-0 win at Dunav 2010 showed that they were able to recover quickly after losing the first leg.

However, Ludogorets’ recent matches have consistently remained below major goal thresholds. Ten consecutive games have produced fewer than 2.5 total goals, while their scoring average across the latest five fixtures is below one goal per match. Their repeated low-scoring first halves could also complicate the comeback if Hapoel succeed in keeping the opening stages quiet.

For the visitors, the main task is to balance caution with the need to remain competitive. Sitting back for the entire match could invite sustained pressure, but Hapoel’s five-match unbeaten run and first-leg clean sheet demonstrate their recent stability. Their failure to win in four consecutive competitive away fixtures remains a concern, yet a draw or a one-goal defeat would still preserve their aggregate advantage.

The first meeting is the only head-to-head result supplied, giving Hapoel one win from one match with two goals scored and none conceded. Ludogorets are therefore looking for both their first goal and first victory in this matchup. The home side’s need to attack should gradually increase the pressure, but the extensive low-scoring trends surrounding both teams suggest that the contest could remain finely balanced for long periods. The first goal will be especially important: an early Ludogorets breakthrough would revive the tie, whereas Hapoel scoring would leave the hosts requiring an even larger turnaround.