Match Preview: Levski Krumovgrad vs Spartak Pleven – Cup (Bulgaria)

Levski Krumovgrad's Cup Charge Meets Spartak Pleven's Defensive Dilemma

Levski Krumovgrad approaches their Cup clash against Spartak Pleven with an almost unblemished run, having swept aside all five of their most recent Third League opponents with a relentless attacking display. This formidable momentum sets a compelling stage for a potential upset against a Spartak Pleven side that has endured a tumultuous spell in the Second League, marked by defensive frailties and stark inconsistency. While the league status might suggest one favourite, Levski's current form, coupled with the neutral venue in Plovdiv, shifts the balance, offering a golden opportunity for them to demonstrate their credentials against higher-tier opposition.

Match Details

• Competition: Cup (Bulgaria)
• Venue: Nikola Shterev - Starika Sports Complex, Plovdiv
• Kick-off: Saturday, 03 October 2026 • 12:00 UK Time
• Referee: None

Current Form

Levski Krumovgrad enters this Cup tie in scintillating form, boasting a perfect record of five wins from their last five outings in the Third League - Southeast. Their attacking prowess has been undeniable, with comprehensive victories including a 6-1 thrashing of Sekirovo Rakovski, a 4-0 defeat of Maritsa Milevo, and a 4-2 win against Neftochimic Burgas. Across these five fixtures, Levski has found the net 18 times while conceding only 3, a clear indicator of both offensive potency and defensive organisation. This run has instilled significant confidence and a winning mentality that will serve them well against a team from a higher division.

In contrast, Spartak Pleven's recent form in the Second League has been a rollercoaster of extremes, leaning heavily towards disappointing results. They have secured two wins in their last five, including a narrow 1-0 victory over Ludogorets II and a more open 3-2 success against Hebar 1918. However, these positive results are overshadowed by three heavy defeats: 0-3 against Fratria, another 0-3 at the hands of Chernomorets 1919 Burgas, and a particularly bruising 1-5 loss to CSKA Sofia II. Over these five games, Spartak has conceded 13 goals, painting a concerning picture of their defensive stability and suggesting a struggle to maintain compactness against quality opposition.

Team News

Neither side has reported any major injuries or suspensions, meaning both managers will have their full complement of players available for selection. For Levski Krumovgrad, this continuity is vital, allowing their established attacking trio of N. Milev, S. Popov, and O. Yusein to continue building on their prolific goal-scoring form without disruption. The consistent availability of defenders like S. Vatansever and S. N'Guessan will be key to maintaining the defensive solidity that has underpinned their recent success. Spartak Pleven also has their full squad at their disposal, which offers coach more options across midfield, including A. Georgiev, M. Tairov, and C. Thiesen. Their challenge will be finding a combination that can provide greater defensive cover and ignite the forward line, where S. Adelani and Lucas Macedo will be tasked with finding the clinical edge that has sometimes been absent.

Head to Head

The historical head-to-head record between these two clubs suggests a competitive

Spartak Pleven 1-1 Levski Krumovgrad (2023-03-20); Levski Krumovgrad 2-1 Spartak Pleven (2022-08-23)