Montana vs Botev Plovdiv Prediction

Montana vs Botev Plovdiv prediction: tactics, odds, best bets

The Montana vs Botev Plovdiv prediction for February 27, 2026 (kickoff 13:15 GMT) feels like one of those afternoons where every tackle has “survival points” written on it. Round 23 of the efbet Liga takes us to Ogosta Stadium, with Montana trying to climb off the bottom and Botev trying to avoid being pulled into the mud with them.

Team context, tactics, and what to watch

This match has a lot going on before the first whistle: new ideas in the away dugout, a very different mood in the home camp, and a head to head history that quietly favors the underdog more often than you’d expect.

Montana: grit first, creativity in small doses

Montana are led by Akis Vavalis, appointed in late December 2.25 for a clear mission: keep the club up. Results have been thin, but the style is not hard to spot—disciplined lines, compact spacing, and counter-attacks when the moment is right. Veteran Ivan Kokonov remains the main source of invention.

• League position: 16th, winless in the last five league matches
• Latest sign of life: 1-1 draw vs Dobrudzha (Feb 21)
• Absences: Vladislav Tsekov (out), Tomás Azevedo (out), Victor Hugo (doubtful)

Botev Plovdiv: a new coach and an owner’s “attack only” order

Botev Plovdiv arrive with a storyline Bulgarian football rarely serves so openly: a public tactical mandate. After Dimitar Dimitrov was dismissed on Feb 16, Lychezar Baltanov stepped in, while owner Ilian Filipov demanded a “total attack” shift—no three center-backs, and always two wingers plus a striker. It reads like an instruction manual, and now it has to work on the pitch.

• Expected base shape: aggressive 4-3.2
• Key talking point: Brazilian attacker Shande (signed from Spartak Varna) to power the forward line
• Winter reinforcements: Antoine Conte and Edson Silva added to steady a defense that has conceded 32 league goals
• Absences: Henrique Jocú (out), Zakaria Tindano (unavailable)

Recent results that shape the mood

Montana have already shown they can frustrate stronger teams away from home—like the 0-0 at Lokomotiv Plovdiv on 2.25-11-28, when they were priced at 6.1. Botev, meanwhile, just delivered a real headline: a 2-1 win over Ludogorets on 2026-02-23 at massive 8.75 odds. Add in Botev’s status as Bulgaria’s oldest active club (1912), and you’ve got a proud institution trying not to get dragged into a relegation story.

Odds, betting tips, and our AI picks

Bookmakers price this as a slight away lean: Home 3.4, Draw 3.2, Away 2.25. Our Montana vs Botev Plovdiv Prediction agrees with that direction, but expects it to be tight and tactical rather than fireworks.

Best value angle: safer away-side cover

• Main betting tip: X2 (Botev win or draw) at 1.33, trust 8.5/10
• 1X2 pick: Away win (2) at 2.25, trust 8.0/10

Goals market: the numbers point to a narrow game

• Under 2.5 goals at 1.65, confidence 6.9/10
• Final score prediction: 0:1
• Half-time prediction: 0:0

Match stats forecast (how the story may look on the pitch)

• Possession: Montana 47% vs Botev 53%
• Shots: 7 vs 10 (on target 2 vs 3)
• Corners: 4 vs 7 (total 11)
• Yellow cards: 1 vs 2

With squad values at roughly €4.66m for Montana and €12.09m for Botev, the deeper roster leans away—but Montana’s history in this head to head suggests they won’t roll out a red carpet. If Botev follow the “attack” script without losing their shape, the away win is live; if not, the X2 looks like the professional’s seatbelt.