Recap
The match with Ludogorets will mark Vasil Petrov’s return to the Spartak Varna bench, as he takes charge of the team for the second time. Spartak made an optimistic start to the championship but have since suffered three consecutive defeats, culminating in a disastrous 6:0 loss to Levski Sofia.
The immediate priority for the new coaching staff will be to restore confidence and stabilize the team psychologically, but the timing could hardly be worse, as they now face one of the strongest sides in Bulgarian football.
Spartak will also be without several players. Deyan Lozev (2/0) and Dimo Krastev are injured, while Vasco Oliveira (4/0) is suspended, while last season top scorer Stojanovski (2/2), who scored two goals at the start of the season was sold in Lusail.
Ludogorets dropped points in the previous round with a 1:1 draw against Slavia Sofia and can’t afford another setback if they want to stay close to the top of the table. They also have an excellent record in Varna, having won all four previous h2h meetings against Spartak.