Preview: Lazio vs. Ludogorets Razgrad

Lazio begin their Europa League knockout stage with a visit from Bulgarian side Ludogorets Razgrad on Thursday night.

Both sides were unbeaten in the group stage but it is Ludogorets who, surprisingly, had the better record by winning five and drawing one of their group games.

Ludogorets are also doing far better domestically this season. They are top of Bulgaria's 'A Group' top division while Lazio are down in 10th in Serie A.

Sergio Floccari was a regular goalscorer for Lazio in the group stage but he is no longer with the club so Keita Balde should lead the line.

Slovenia's Roman Bezjak was Ludogorets's top scorer in the group stage and should be fit to start on the eve of his 25th birthday.

Whoever wins this two-legged tie will go on to play either Dynamo Kiev or Valencia in the last 16.

Recent form

Lazio: LDWLDW

Ludogorets: WWWWWW

Possible starting lineups

Lazio: Marchetti, Ciani, Cavanda, Novaretti, Lulic, Anderson, Onazi, Ledesma, Cana, Balde, Perea

Ludogorets: Stoyanov, Barthe, Moti, Caicara, Choco, Zlatinski, Marcelinho, Espinho, Quixada, Bezjak, Misidjan

Sports Mole says: 2-0