Europe - Champions League
Prediction :
Both teams to score
Maximising their home advantage could be the agenda for Croatian champions HNK Rijeka as they start in the second qualifying round of the 2025/26 UEFA Champions League with a home leg against Bulgaria’s Ludogorets. This first-leg match on Tuesday in Rijeka between the Whites and the Eagles comes with our prediction of both teams scoring goals. The winner of this two-legged tie proceeds to the third qualifying round, while the losers will be transferred to the Europa League third qualifying round.
Rijeka have always been a tough nut to crack on their home turf, although this is their first competitive match of the campaign. Ludogorets have already played three competitive games in the season, including the first qualifying round, where they needed additional extra time to win the tie.
This match could be a test of Rijeka’s home credentials against Ludogorets’ stubborn away record, as the Bulgarians lost just one of their seven recent away fixtures in European competitions. Which side will blink first? Read further for our analysis, team news, and match predictions.
HNK Rijeka vs Ludogorets Form
HNK Rijeka and Ludogorets Last Matches
3/6 (50%)
0/6 (0%)
3/6 (50%)
Average stats (Last 6 matchs)
13 Jul 2025 - Clubs Friendlies
13 Jul 2025 - Clubs Friendlies
9 Jul 2025 - Clubs Friendlies
29 May 2025 - Croatia Cup
25 May 2025 - Prva HNL
18 May 2025 - Prva HNL
4/6 (67%)
0/6 (0%)
2/6 (33%)
Average stats (Last 6 matchs)
13 Jul 2025 - Clubs Friendlies
13 Jul 2025 - Clubs Friendlies
9 Jul 2025 - Clubs Friendlies
29 May 2025 - Croatia Cup
25 May 2025 - Prva HNL
4 May 2025 - Prva HNL
2/6 (33%)
1/6 (17%)
3/6 (50%)
Average stats (Last 6 matchs)
18 May 2025 - Prva HNL
14 May 2025 - Croatia Cup
10 May 2025 - Prva HNL
27 Apr 2025 - Prva HNL
19 Apr 2025 - Prva HNL
6 Apr 2025 - Prva HNL
2/6 (33%)
3/6 (50%)
1/6 (17%)
Average stats (Last 6 matchs)
19 Jul 2025 - A PFG
16 Jul 2025 - Champions League
9 Jul 2025 - Champions League
1 Jul 2025 - Clubs Friendlies
30 Jun 2025 - Clubs Friendlies
25 Jun 2025 - Clubs Friendlies
2/6 (33%)
2/6 (33%)
2/6 (33%)
Average stats (Last 6 matchs)
19 Jul 2025 - A PFG
9 Jul 2025 - Champions League
1 Jul 2025 - Clubs Friendlies
30 Jun 2025 - Clubs Friendlies
25 Jun 2025 - Clubs Friendlies
21 Jun 2025 - Clubs Friendlies
2/6 (33%)
3/6 (50%)
1/6 (17%)
Average stats (Last 6 matchs)
16 Jul 2025 - Champions League
17 May 2025 - A PFG
13 May 2025 - A PFG
9 May 2025 - A PFG
14 Apr 2025 - A PFG
10 Apr 2025 - Bulgarian Cup
HNK Rijeka - Ludogorets: Form Analysis
HNK Rijeka & Ludogorets Squad Analysis
Rijeka have been active in the off-season, adding three players to their roster and offering a contract extension to Dejan Petrovic. Anel Husic, Omar Sijaric, and Dominik Yankov have joined the club, while Lindon Selahi has left the club as a free agent.
The experienced Duje Cop remains an option to play as the lone striker if they line up in their traditional 4-2-3-1 formation. Niko Jankovic is likely to slot in the hole behind the striker to lend creativity to the side.
Ludogorets have been deploying a fluid system under Rui Mota.
The Portuguese was previously managing FC Noah and used a 4-3-1-2 system in the two qualifiers while presenting a more aggressive 4-3-3 formation in the weekend league fixture. They ended up scoring five goals, but expect them to go back to a slightly defensive system.
Ivaylo Chochev started Ludogorets’ scoring in their 5-0 win at the weekend that saw five different scorers. Deroy Duarte also got on the scoresheet, but Pedro Naressi’s creativity could decide if the Bulgarians can win the midfield battle.
Most goals and assists
HNK Rijeka
Ludogorets
I. Chochev
(1 Goals)
,
S. Ivanov
(1 Goals)
, 
E. Bille
(1 Goals)
, HNK Rijeka - Ludogorets Key Points
- In six of their last ten matches in the Champions League qualifiers, Ludogorets have seen both teams score goals.
- That included an away game in the first qualifying round that Ludogorets won via extra time.
- In four of their last eight matches including friendlies, Ludogorets saw both teams score.
- The only match between these sides was a friendly in 2015 that Ludogorets won 2-1.
- Rijeka conceded goals in each of their five friendlies in the pre-season.
- In those five matches, Rijeka scored in three fixtures.
Our HNK Rijeka vs Ludogorets Prediction
Ludogorets have had more European success and are only the second Bulgarian club to enter the group stages of the Champions League. Rijeka, on the other hand, have never qualified for this competition proper. The Croatians are playing their first competitive match of the campaign and come here after conceding in each of their five friendlies. That said, playing them at this venue could be a tough proposition, as they won their last five fixtures here, including friendlies.
This leg could see some action, and our HNK Rijeka vs PFC Ludogorets 1945 prediction is both teams to score.
HNK Rijeka vs Ludogorets - Other Interesting Predictions
Draw
Ludogorets have a better European pedigree than their hosts and will look to avoid defeat here to stay in control of the tie. Rijeka are a tough team to beat on their home turf, and that makes this tie a tight clash. Both teams could end up sharing the spoils in a close encounter.