Lokomotiv Plovdiv and Tottenham Hotspur meet at Stadion Lokomotiv, in a match for this phase of the UEFA Europa League (2nd Qualifying Round). These two teams have never met before, so this will be their first head-to-head meeting. In this match the home factor may be decisive, as Tottenham Hotspur present considerable differences in their results at home and away.
Lokomotiv Plovdiv :
The home team reaches this stage of the UEFA Europa League (2nd Qualifying Round) after a win away (0‑1) against Iskra. This is a team that presents similar results at home and away, so it is not usually affected by the home factor, since in the last 30 games it has recorded 6 wins, 4 draws and 5 losses as a visitor; against 7 wins, 3 draws and 5 losses in his stadium. The team comes to this match after a away loss against Ludogorets by (3‑1). In the last 10 home matches for all competitions, Lokomotiv Plovdiv won 6, drew 1 and lost 3. Their defense has not been very strong, since they have conceded goals in 7 of the last 10 matches, but their attack has scored regularly as they have scored goals in 8 of the last 10 matches.
Lokomotiv Plovdiv comes into this match after a 3-1 loss at Ludogorets in a match for the Bulgarian championship. On the last day of the Europa League, the local team beat Iskra 0-1. In this match against Tottenham, coach Bruno Akrapovic is expected to present a more defensive team, betting on successive counterattacks, looking for forward Ante Aralica on most occasions. On the other hand, the left winger Birsent Karagaren is one of the great weapons of this team, being very fast and strong in the counterattack. All players are available for this game.
Tottenham Hotspur :
The visiting team will make its debut in this edition of the UEFA Europa League with the intention of achieving a positive result, taking advantage of the home factor. This is a stronger team with the support of its fans, since in the last 30 games it has registered 3 victories, 7 draws and 5 defeats as a visitor, with 17 goals scored and 21 suffered; against 10 victories, 2 draws and 3 defeats in his stadium, with 27 goals scored and 12 suffered. The team comes to this match after a home loss to Everton by (0‑1). In the last 10 away matches for all competitions, Tottenham Hotspur won 2, tied 4 and lost 4. Their attack has scored regularly, scoring goals in 8 of the last 10 matches. This is a team that scores very few firsts and that only managed to open the scoring in 3 of its last 15 games, of these 3 it reached the break in 2 and won at the end of the 90 ‘in all.
Tottenham come into this game unmotivated, after a 1-0 loss to Everton in a Premier League match. We remember that the Londoners finished the last English championship in sixth position in the qualifying table. In this match against Lokomotiv Plovdiv, coach José Mourinho must align his team in a 4-3-3, favoring a more organized style of play, on the flanks. Heung-min Son is very important in Tottenham’s attack, as he is very strong in the offensive transition. Out of this game are Tanganga and Giovani Lo Celso, both with physical problems.
