2017–18 First Professional Football League (Bulgaria)

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First Professional Football League
Season2017–18
Dates14 July 2017–25 May 2018
ChampionsLudogorets Razgrad (7th title)
RelegatedPirin Blagoevgrad
Champions LeagueLudogorets Razgrad
Europa LeagueSlavia Sofia
CSKA Sofia
Levski Sofia
Matches played243
Goals scored621 (2.56 per match)
Top goalscorerRomania Claudiu Keșerü (26)
Best goalkeeperBozhidar Mitrev
(19 clean sheets)
Biggest home winLudogorets Razgrad 7–0 Beroe
(18 April 2018)[1]
Biggest away winEtar 0–6 Ludogorets Razgrad
(18 March 2018)[2]
Highest scoringBotev Plovdiv 2–6 CSKA Sofia
(30 July 2017)[3]
Longest winning run14 games by Ludogorets Razgrad[4]
Longest unbeaten run25 games by CSKA Sofia[4]
Longest winless run31 games by Vitosha Bistritsa[4]
Longest losing run6 games by Vereya and Vitosha Bistritsa[4]
Highest attendance29,000
CSKA Sofia 0–0 Ludogorets Razgrad
(5 May 2018)[5]
Lowest attendance~30
Septemvri Sofia 2–1 Cherno More
(8 December 2017)[6]
All statistics correct as of 25 May 2018.

The 2017–18 First Professional Football League was the 94th season of the top division of the Bulgarian football league system, the 70th since a league format was adopted for the national competition of A Group as a top tier of the pyramid and also the 2nd season of the First Professional Football League, which decides the Bulgarian champion. The season is the second with a new league structure and strict financial criteria where 14 clubs play each other home and away, until the league is split up in championship and relegation playoffs. The new league structure, inspired by the ones used by the Belgian First Division A and Danish Superliga, was approved by the Bulgarian Football Union on 6 June 2016.[7] The fixture list was released on 22 June 2017.[8]

On 29 April 2018, four rounds before the end of the championship, Ludogorets Razgrad managed to secure the title for a seventh consecutive and overall time.

Teams[edit]

A total of 14 teams would be contesting the league. Etar were promoted as champions of the 2016–17 Second League, sealing their title on the final day of the season with a 2–2 away draw against Nesebar, coupled with Septemvri Sofia's 0–2 away defeat to Oborishte.[9] The promoted club replaced Lokomotiv Gorna Oryahovitsa, who suffered an immediate return to the second tier after elimination in the relegation play-offs by Montana.

Septemvri Sofia, runners-up of the 2016–17 Second League, won the play-off against Montana and return to the top flight after an 18-year absence, for the first time since the 1998–99 season. Montana return to the second tier after two seasons in the top flight.

Vitosha Bistritsa, who finished 3rd in the 2016–17 Second League, defeated Neftochimic in the play-off and won promotion to the top division for the first time in their history. Neftochimic spent only one season in the First League.

Stadia and locations[edit]

Note: From the 2016–17 season onwards, all participating clubs are required to have electric floodlights and adequate pitch conditions under the BFU and TV broadcaster's new licensing criteria.[10] The following stadiums below have either obtained a license under UEFA's category ranking or fulfill the licensing criteria.

class=notpageimage|
Location of teams in 2017–18 First League
class=notpageimage|
Sofia 2017–18 First League football clubs
Team Location Stadium Capacity (seating)
Beroe Stara Zagora Beroe 12,128[11]
Botev Plovdiv Botev 1912 Football Complex 4,000
Cherno More Varna Tichaa 8,250
CSKA Sofia Balgarska Armiya 18,495[12]
Dunav Ruse Gradski, Ruse 12,400[13]
Etar Veliko Tarnovo Ivaylob 18,000
Levski Sofia Vivacom Arena - Georgi Asparuhov 25,000[14]
Lokomotiv Plovdiv Lokomotiv 13,000[15]
Ludogorets Razgrad Ludogorets Arena 9,000[16]
Pirin Blagoevgrad Hristo Botev 7,000
Septemvri Sofia Vasil Levski National Stadiumc 43,230
Slavia Sofia Slavia
Vasil Levski National Stadiumd 		25,556
43,230
Vereya Stara Zagora Trace Arena 3,500[17]
Vitosha Bistritsa Bistritsa Stadium 2,500

a.^ Cherno More played their first home match at Kavarna Stadium in Kavarna due to ongoing renovation works at their Ticha Stadium.[18]
b.^ Etar played their first two home matches at Lovech Stadium in Lovech due to ongoing renovation works at their Ivaylo Stadium.[19]
c.^ Septemvri Sofia will play at the Vasil Levski National Stadium because their Dragalevtsi Stadium is not licensed for First League.[20]
d.^ Slavia Sofia obtained permission from the Bulgarian Football Union to use their own stadium and will play their matches at the Vasil Levski National Stadium only when floodlights are necessary.[21]

Personnel and sponsorship[edit]

Note: Flags indicate national team as has been defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players and managers may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

Team Manager Captain Kit manufacturer Shirt sponsor Additional
Beroe Bulgaria Aleksandar Tomash Bulgaria Veselin Penev Uhlsport[22] — Refan
Botev Plovdiv Bulgaria Nikolay Kirov Bulgaria Lachezar Baltanov Uhlsport[23] Efbet —
CSKA Sofia Bulgaria Hristo Yanev (caretaker) Bulgaria Bozhidar Chorbadzhiyski adidas Mtel WinBet, Baristo
Cherno More Bulgaria Ilian Iliev Bulgaria Georgi Iliev Uhlsport Armeets —
Dunav Ruse Bulgaria Malin Orachev Bulgaria Diyan Dimov Joma — WinBet
Etar Bulgaria Krasimir Balakov Bulgaria Kiril Akalski Joma[24] — WinBet
Levski Sofia Italy Delio Rossi Bulgaria Bozhidar Mitrev Joma Vivacom Strabag, Efbet, Spetema
Lokomotiv Plovdiv Bosnia and Herzegovina Bruno Akrapović North Macedonia Vančo Trajanov Uhlsport[25] Efbet General Broker
Ludogorets Razgrad Bulgaria Dimitar Dimitrov Bulgaria Svetoslav Dyakov Umbro[26] bet365 Vivacom, Spetema
Pirin Blagoevgrad Bulgaria Milen Radukanov Bulgaria Yulian Popev Erreà[27] Katarino Spa —
Septemvri Sofia Bulgaria Nikolay Mitov Bulgaria Valentin Galev Uhlsport[28] Efbet[28] —
Slavia Sofia Bulgaria Zlatomir Zagorčić Bulgaria Georgi Petkov Joma bet365 —
Vereya Brazil Elias Brazil Elias Erreà[29] Efbet Spetema
Vitosha Bistritsa Bulgaria Kostadin Angelov Bulgaria Chetin Sadula Jumper[30] Efbet[31]

Note: Individual clubs may wear jerseys with advertising. However, only one sponsorship is permitted per jersey for official tournaments organised by UEFA in addition to that of the kit manufacturer (exceptions are made for non-profit organisations). Clubs in the domestic league can have more than one sponsorship per jersey which can feature on the front of the shirt, incorporated with the main sponsor or in place of it; or on the back, either below the squad number or on the collar area. Shorts also have space available for advertisement.

Managerial changes[edit]

Team Outgoing manager Manner of departure Date of vacancy Position in table Incoming manager Date of appointment
Beroe Bulgaria Ferario Spasov Mutual consent 19 May 2017[32] Pre-season Bulgaria Aleksandar Tomash 8 June 2017[33]
Septemvri Bulgaria Hristo Arangelov Demoted to assistant1 4 June 2017[34] Bulgaria Dimitar Vasev 8 June 2017[35]
Vereya Bulgaria Aleksandar Tomash Signed by Beroe 5 June 2017 Bulgaria Ilian Iliev 9 June 2017[36]
Levski Bulgaria Nikolay Mitov Mutual consent 4 August 2017[37] 6th Bulgaria Asen Bukarev (caretaker) 4 August 2017
Bulgaria Asen Bukarev End of caretaker tenure 8 August 2017 9th Italy Delio Rossi 8 August 2017[38]
Ludogorets Bulgaria Georgi Dermendzhiev Resigned 9 August 2017[39] 2nd Bulgaria Petko Petkov (caretaker) 10 August 2017
Bulgaria Petko Petkov End of caretaker tenure 14 August 2017 Bulgaria Dimitar Dimitrov 14 August 2017[40]
Septemvri Bulgaria Dimitar Vasev Sacked 23 August 2017 13th Bulgaria Nikolay Mitov 23 August 2017[41]
Cherno More Bulgaria Georgi Ivanov Resigned 21 September 2017 6th Bulgaria Emanuel Lukanov (caretaker) 21 September 2017[42]
Dunav Bulgaria Veselin Velikov Mutual consent 16 October 2017 12th Bulgaria Plamen Donev (caretaker) 16 October 2017[43]
Lokomotiv Plovdiv Bulgaria Voyn Voynov Mutual consent 30 October 2017[44] 8th Bosnia and Herzegovina Bruno Akrapović 30 October 2017[45]
Dunav Bulgaria Plamen Donev End of caretaker tenure 31 October 2017 13th Bulgaria Malin Orachev 31 October 2017[46]
Cherno More Bulgaria Emanuel Lukanov End of caretaker tenure 28 December 2017 7th Bulgaria Ilian Iliev 28 December 2017[47]
Vereya Bulgaria Ilian Iliev Signed by Cherno More 28 December 2017 6th Bulgaria Blagomir Mitrev 2 January 2018[48]
Etar Bulgaria Stanislav Genchev Demoted to assistant 4 January 2018 12th Bulgaria Krasimir Balakov 4 January 2018[49]
Vereya Bulgaria Blagomir Mitrev Mutual consent 1 April 2018[50] 6th Brazil Elias 2 April 2018[51]
CSKA Sofia Bulgaria Stamen Belchev Mutual consent 1 May 2018 2nd Bulgaria Hristo Yanev (caretaker) 1 May 2018[52]

1.^ No license for First League.

Regular season[edit]

League table[edit]

Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Qualification
1 Ludogorets Razgrad 26 21 3 2 63 13 +50 66 Qualification for the Championship round
2 CSKA Sofia 26 19 6 1 59 14 +45 63
3 Levski Sofia 26 14 8 4 37 14 +23 50
4 Beroe 26 12 9 5 33 24 +9 45
5 Botev Plovdiv 26 11 9 6 44 29 +15 42
6 Vereya 26 10 5 11 24 34 −10 35
7 Slavia Sofia 26 8 8 10 34 37 −3 32 Qualification for the Relegation round
8 Septemvri Sofia 26 9 4 13 25 42 −17 31[a]
9 Lokomotiv Plovdiv 26 8 7 11 22 37 −15 31[a]
10 Cherno More 26 7 6 13 24 32 −8 27
11 Pirin Blagoevgrad 26 6 8 12 20 28 −8 26
12 Dunav Ruse 26 5 6 15 17 38 −21 21[b]
13 Etar 26 4 9 13 24 45 −21 21[b]
14 Vitosha Bistritsa 26 0 8 18 12 51 −39 8
Source: Soccerway
Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Head-to-head points; 3) Head-to-head goal difference; 4) Head-to-head goals scored; 5) Head-to-head away goals scored (only if two teams); 6) Goal difference; 7) Goals scored; 8) Fairplay ranking; 9) Draw.[53]
Notes:
  1. ^ a b Septemvri Sofia ahead of Lokomotiv Plovdiv on head-to-head record; Septemvri Sofia–Lokomotiv Plovdiv 3-1, Lokomotiv Plovdiv–Septemvri Sofia 1-0.
  2. ^ a b Dunav Ruse ahead of Etar on head-to-head record; Dunav Ruse–Etar 0–0, Etar–Dunav Ruse 0–2.

Results[edit]

Home \ Away BSZ BOT CHM CSK DUN ETA LEV LPL LUD PIR SEP SLA VER VIT
Beroe — 1–1 2–0 0–3 1–1 2–1 0–0 1–2 0–1 1–1 5–1 2–0 0–0 0–0
Botev Plovdiv 1−1 — 1–2 2–6 3–0 3–0 2–1 3–0 1–3 0–1 5–0 1–1 1–0 3–0
Cherno More 1–4 0–0 — 0–1 1–0 0–0 2–3 0–1 0–1 0–1 1–4 1–1 1–2 1–0
CSKA Sofia 6–0 1–1 0–0 — 3–0 2–1 1–0 4–1 0–1 0–0 2–0 1–0 3–0 6–1
Dunav Ruse 1–1 0–0 0–1 0–2 — 0–0 0–4 2–2 0–5 0–0 0–1 0–1 2–0 3–0
Etar 1–2 1–1 1–1 2–2 0–2 — 0–1 1–2 0–6 2–1 3–3 2–1 0–1 2–0
Levski Sofia 0–0 1–0 1–0 2–2 2–0 1–1 — 1–0 0–0 3–0 2–0 4–0 1–0 2–0
Lokomotiv Plovdiv 0–2 0–0 0–3 0–1 2–1 2–0 0–0 — 0–3 1–0 1–0 1–2 1–1 3–1
Ludogorets Razgrad 2–0 2–1 3–1 1–2 2–0 4–0 2–0 0–0 — 1–1 1–0 4–1 3–1 3–0
Pirin Blagoevgrad 0–1 1–2 1–1 1–2 1–0 3–2 0–3 5–0 0–2 — 0–1 0–0 1–2 1–0
Septemvri Sofia 0–1 1–1 2–1 0–1 0–2 1–1 1–4 3–1 1–4 1–0 — 0–2 2–0 1–0
Slavia Sofia 1–4 2–3 2–0 1–1 3–0 1–2 1−1 1–1 0–4 3–1 4–1 — 0–1 4–0
Vereya 0–1 2–4 0–4 0–5 2–1 2–0 2–0 1–0 2–1 0–0 0–1 1–1 — 1–1
Vitosha Bistritsa 0–1 2–4 1–2 0–2 1–2 1–1 0–0 1–1 2–4 0–0 0–0 1–1 0–3 —
Source: bulgarian-football.com
Legend: Blue = home team win; Yellow = draw; Red = away team win.
For upcoming matches, an "a" indicates there is an article about the rivalry between the two participants.

Positions by round[edit]

Team ╲ Round1234567891011121314151617181920212223242526
Beroe781056575455755544444444444
Botev Plovdiv1271212121211101077444455665555555
Cherno More3111114466697677777788891010
CSKA Sofia511543311112222222222222222
Dunav Ruse12769111211111212131313131313131313131212121212
Etar111013138888889101212111112121212121313131313
Levski Sofia913697633343333333333333333
Lokomotiv Plovdiv232847677108688899999777799
Ludogorets Razgrad106322222221111111111111111
Pirin Blagoevgrad4587111010991111111111121211111111111111111111
Septemvri Sofia1441111131391213131312101091010101010101010888
Slavia Sofia6941010913131291089910888889991077
Vereya814935456534567666556666666
Vitosha Bistritsa1312141414141414141414141414141414141414141414141414
Source: bulgarian-football.com

Results by round[edit]

Team ╲ Round1234567891011121314151617181920212223242526
BeroeDDDWDWLWWDLLWWDWWDWLWWDLWD
Botev PlovdivLWLWDLDWLWWWDWDDDDDWLLDWWW
Cherno MoreWWWDDWLLLDLLWWLWLLDLLDDLLL
CSKA SofiaDLWWWWWWWWDDDWWDWWWWWDWWWW
Dunav RuseWDLDLLLWLLDLDLDLWLLDWWLLLL
EtarLDLDWWDDLDDLLLWLLLWLDLDLDL
Levski SofiaDDWLWWWLWDWWDLWDWWWDWWDWDL
Lokomotiv PlovdivWDDLWLWLLLWWLWLLLDDDWDDLLW
Ludogorets RazgradDWDWWWDWWWWWWWLWWLWWWWWWWW
Pirin BlagoevgradWLDDLLDWDLDDDLLLWWLLLWDWLL
Septemvri SofiaLWLLLLWDLLLWWWWLDLLWDLLWDW
Slavia SofiaDLWLDLLLWWDWDLDWLWLDLDDLWW
VereyaDLWWLWWLWWDLLLWWLWDDLLDWLL
Vitosha BistritsaLDLLLLLLDLLLLLLDLDLDLLDLDD
Source: bulgarian-football.com
W = Win; D = Draw; L = Loss

Championship round[edit]

Points and goals will carry over in full from regular season.

Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Qualification LUD CSK LEV BSZ BOT VER
1 Ludogorets Razgrad (C) 36 27 7 2 91 22 +69 88 Qualification for the Champions League first qualifying round — 3–2 2–2 7–0 2–2 5–0
2 CSKA Sofia 36 24 9 3 80 26 +54 81 Qualification for the Europa League first qualifying round 0–0 — 2–2 1–0 4–1 5–1
3 Levski Sofia (O) 36 18 10 8 55 27 +28 64 Qualification for the European play-off final 0–1 2–3 — 1–2 3–2 2–0
4 Beroe 36 16 11 9 45 43 +2 59 1–1 1–1 0–4 — 3−2 1–0
5 Botev Plovdiv 36 15 11 10 62 49 +13 56 2–4 2–1 1–0 2–1 — 2–0
6 Vereya 36 10 6 20 27 61 −34 36 0–3 0–2 0–2 0–3 2–2 —
Source: Soccerway
Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Head-to-head points; 3) Head-to-head goal difference; 4) Head-to-head goals scored; 5) Head-to-head away goals scored (only if two teams); 6) Goal difference; 7) Goals scored; 8) Fairplay ranking; 9) Draw.[54]
(C) Champions; (O) Play-off winners

Positions by round[edit]

Below the positions per round are shown. As teams did not all start with an equal number of points, the initial pre-playoffs positions are also given.

Team ╲ RoundInitial12345678910
Beroe44333344444
Botev Plovdiv55555555555
CSKA Sofia22222222222
Levski Sofia33444433333
Ludogorets Razgrad11111111111
Vereya66666666666
Source: bulgarian-football.com

Relegation round[edit]

Points and goals will carry over in full from regular season.

Group A[edit]

Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Qualification or relegation SLA CHM PIR VIT
1 Slavia Sofia 32 11 10 11 44 44 0 43 Qualification for the Europa League first qualifying round[a] — 1–1 2–1 0–0
2 Cherno More 32 11 7 14 33 35 −2 40 Qualification for the European play-off quarter-finals 2–0 — 2–1 2–0
3 Pirin Blagoevgrad (R) 32 7 9 16 29 42 −13 30 Qualification for the relegation play-offs 2–5 0–2 — 2–2
4 Vitosha Bistritsa (O) 32 1 10 21 17 60 −43 13 1–2 1–0 1–3 —
Source: Soccerway
Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Head-to-head points; 3) Head-to-head goal difference; 4) Head-to-head goals scored; 5) Head-to-head away goals scored (only if two teams); 6) Goal difference; 7) Goals scored; 8) Fairplay ranking; 9) Draw.[54]
(O) Play-off winners; (R) Relegated
Notes:
  1. ^ Slavia Sofia qualified for the Europa League first qualifying round by winning the 2017–18 Bulgarian Cup.

Group B[edit]

Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Qualification or relegation SEP LPL DUN ETA
1 Septemvri Sofia 32 12 5 15 32 48 −16 41 Qualification for the European play-off quarter-finals — 0–0 0–2 1–0
2 Lokomotiv Plovdiv 32 9 10 13 26 43 −17 37 0–2 — 2–2 1–0
3 Dunav Ruse (O) 32 8 7 17 24 44 −20 31 Qualification for the relegation play-offs 0–2 1–0 — 1–0
4 Etar (O) 32 6 10 16 31 52 −21 28 4–2 1–1 2–1 —
Source: Soccerway
Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Head-to-head points; 3) Head-to-head goal difference; 4) Head-to-head goals scored; 5) Head-to-head away goals scored (only if two teams); 6) Goal difference; 7) Goals scored; 8) Fairplay ranking; 9) Draw.[54]
(O) Play-off winners

European play-offs[edit]

Bracket[edit]

Quarter-finalsSemi-finalsFinal
                
Quarter-final 1
Cherno More224
Semi-final
Septemvri Sofia11 2
Cherno More224
Quarter-final 2
Lokomotiv Plovdiv12 3
Lokomotiv Plovdiv336
Final
Slavia Sofia10 1
Levski Sofia4
Cherno More1

European play-off quarter-finals[edit]

Cherno More2−1Septemvri Sofia
Iliev 45+1', 77' (pen.) Report Toshev 57'
Attendance: 770
Referee: Volen Chinkov (Sofia)
Septemvri Sofia1−2Cherno More
Toshev 85' Report Fennouche 39', 43'
Attendance: 200
Referee: Stefan Apostolov (Simitli)
Lokomotiv Plovdiv3−1Slavia Sofia
 Report Yomov 2'
Attendance: 790
Referee: Ivaylo Stoyanov (Petrich)
Slavia Sofia0−3Lokomotiv Plovdiv
Report
Attendance: 350

European play-off semi-finals[edit]

Cherno More2−1Lokomotiv Plovdiv
 Report
Attendance: 1,250
Referee: Nikolay Yordanov (Sofia)
Lokomotiv Plovdiv2−2 (a.e.t.)Cherno More
Mihaljević 12', 42' Report Kuzma 69'
Dimov 103'
Attendance: 970
Referee: Nikola Popov (Sofia)

European play-off final[edit]

Levski Sofia4−1Cherno More
 Report Fennouche 56'
Attendance: 4,030

Relegation play-offs[edit]

Bracket[edit]

First roundSecond roundThird round
                      
Match 1
Etar213
Match 3
Pirin Blagoevgrad10 1
Etar224
Match 2
Dunav Ruse01 1
Vitosha Bistritsa011
Match 5
Dunav Ruse13 4
Dunav Ruse2
Tsarsko Selo1
Match 4
Vitosha Bistritsa02 2
Pirin Blagoevgrad11 2
Match 6
Vitosha Bistritsa2 (4)
Lokomotiv Sofia2 (2)

Winners of matches 3, 5 and 6 will play in the top division next season

First round[edit]

Vitosha Bistritsa0–1Dunav Ruse
Report Karagaren 48'
Attendance: 290
Dunav Ruse3–1Vitosha Bistritsa
 Report Hristov 31' (pen.)
Attendance: 1,500
Referee: Ivaylo Stoyanov (Petrich)
Etar2–1Pirin Blagoevgrad
 Report Kirilov 72'
Attendance: 1,500
Pirin Blagoevgrad0–1Etar
Report Manneh 52'
Attendance: 1,680
Referee: Nikola Popov (Sofia)

Second round[edit]

Etar2–0Dunav Ruse
 Report
Attendance: 1,450
Referee: Vladimir Valkov (Plovdiv)
Dunav Ruse1–2Etar
N'Diaye 57' Report
Attendance: 2,500
Referee: Stefan Apostolov (Simitli)
Vitosha Bistritsa0–1Pirin Blagoevgrad
Report Popev 57'
Attendance: 180
Referee: Angel Bayaltsaliev (Sofia)
Pirin Blagoevgrad1−2Vitosha Bistritsa
Nichev 66' Report
Attendance: 480

Pirin Blagoevgrad are relegated to the Second League.

Third round[edit]

Dunav Ruse2−1Tsarsko Selo
 Report Minchev 82'
Attendance: 410
Referee: Nikolay Yordanov (Sofia)
Vitosha Bistritsa2−2 (a.e.t.)Lokomotiv Sofia
 Report
Penalties
 4–2
Attendance: 550
Referee: Nikola Popov (Sofia)

Season statistics[edit]

Round Goal of the week Club Save of the week Club
1 Bulgaria Dani Kiki vs Etar [1] Lokomotiv Plovdiv Bulgaria Mihail Ivanov vs Cherno More [2] Vitosha Bistritsa
2 Bulgaria Vladislav Uzunov vs Botev Plovdiv [3] Slavia Slovakia Dušan Perniš vs Dunav [4] Beroe
3 Portugal Tiago Rodrigues vs Botev Plovdiv [5] CSKA Sofia Bulgaria Hristiyan Vasilev vs Levski Sofia [6] Vitosha Bistritsa
4 Ghana Carlos Ohene vs Slavia [7] Beroe Slovakia Dušan Perniš vs Slavia [8] Beroe
5 Czech Republic David Jablonský vs Dunav [9] Levski Sofia Bulgaria Stanislav Antonov vs Levski Sofia [10] Dunav
6 Democratic Republic of the Congo Junior Mapuku vs Pirin Blagoevgrad [11] Levski Sofia Argentina Jorge Broun vs Dunav [12] Ludogorets
7 Bulgaria Dimo Bakalov vs Dunav [13] Lokomotiv Plovdiv Slovakia Dušan Perniš vs CSKA Sofia [14] Beroe
8 Netherlands Virgil Misidjan vs Slavia [15] Ludogorets Bulgaria Stanislav Antonov vs Vitosha Bistritsa [16] Dunav
9 France Gabriel Obertan vs Septemvri [17] Levski Sofia Ukraine Yevhen Borovyk vs CSKA Sofia [18] Cherno More
10 Portugal Tiago Rodrigues vs Dunav [19] CSKA Sofia Slovakia Dušan Perniš vs Levski Sofia [20] Beroe
11 Senegal Alioune Badará vs CSKA Sofia [21] Etar Bulgaria Emil Mihaylov vs Levski Sofia [22] Cherno More
12 Portugal Pedro Eugénio vs Lokomotiv Plovdiv [23] Beroe Bulgaria Blagoy Makendzhiev vs CSKA Sofia [24] Pirin Blagoevgrad
13 Slovakia Roman Procházka vs CSKA Sofia [25] Levski Sofia Argentina Jorge Broun vs Etar [26] Ludogorets
14 Bulgaria Martin Kamburov vs Vereya [27] Beroe Bulgaria Stanislav Antonov vs Septemvri [28] Dunav
15 Spain Jordi Gómez vs Lokomotiv Plovdiv [29] Levski Sofia Bulgaria Georgi Argilashki vs Cherno More [30] Vereya
16 Bulgaria Martin Kamburov vs Pirin Blagoevgrad [31] Beroe Bulgaria Georgi Argilashki vs Etar [32] Vereya
17 Ghana Carlos Ohene vs Slavia [33] Beroe Bulgaria Georgi Argilashki vs Levski Sofia [34] Vereya
18 Bulgaria Ivan Minchev vs Cherno More [35] Slavia Slovakia Dušan Perniš vs Botev Plovdiv [36] Beroe
19 Democratic Republic of the Congo Junior Mapuku vs Pirin Blagoevgrad [37] Levski Sofia Slovakia Dušan Perniš vs Septemvri [38] Beroe
20 Bulgaria Serkan Yusein vs Etar [39] Botev Plovdiv
21 Portugal Pedro Eugénio vs Cherno More [40] Beroe Bulgaria Daniel Naumov vs CSKA Sofia [41] Vereya
22 France Gabriel Obertan vs Septemvri [42] Levski Sofia Bulgaria Blagoy Makendzhiev vs CSKA Sofia [43] Pirin Blagoevgrad
23 Bulgaria Daniel Peev vs Slavia [44] Vitosha Bistritsa Bulgaria Valentin Galev vs Ludogorets [45] Septemvri
24 The Gambia Alasana Manneh vs CSKA Sofia [46] Etar Bulgaria Nikolay Krastev vs Cherno More [47] Levski Sofia
25 Brazil João Paulo vs Vereya [48] Botev Plovdiv Bulgaria Ilko Pirgov vs Beroe [49] Lokomotiv Plovdiv
26 Bulgaria Todor Nedelev vs Dunav [50] Botev Plovdiv Bulgaria Georgi Argilashki vs Vitosha Bistritsa [51] Vereya
27 Portugal Pedro Eugénio vs Levski Sofia [52] Beroe Slovakia Dušan Perniš vs Levski Sofia [53] Beroe
28 Bulgaria Martin Kamburov vs Vereya [54] Beroe Brazil Renan vs CSKA Sofia [55] Ludogorets
29 Romania Claudiu Keșerü vs Levski Sofia [56] Ludogorets Bulgaria Bozhidar Mitrev vs Ludogorets [57] Levski Sofia
30 Bulgaria Ivan Goranov vs CSKA Sofia [58] Levski Sofia Bulgaria Bozhidar Mitrev vs CSKA Sofia [59] Levski Sofia
31 Bulgaria Georgi Bozhilov vs Slavia [60] Cherno More Bulgaria Martin Lukov vs Etar [61] Dunav
32 Spain Jordi Gómez vs Beroe [62] Levski Sofia Poland Daniel Kajzer vs CSKA Sofia [63] Botev Plovdiv
33 Brazil Paulinho vs Botev Plovdiv [64] Levski Sofia Bulgaria Nikolay Krastev vs Botev Plovdiv [65] Levski Sofia
34 Algeria Mehdi Fennouche vs Septemvri [66] Cherno More Bulgaria Georgi Argilashki vs Botev Plovdiv [67] Beroe
35 Bulgaria Atanas Zehirov vs Lokomotiv Plovdiv [68] Cherno More Bulgaria Bozhidar Mitrev vs CSKA Sofia [69] Levski Sofia
36 Brazil Paulinho vs Vereya [70] Levski Sofia

Top scorers[edit]

As of match(es) played on 25 May 2018[55]
Rank Player Club Goals
1 Romania Claudiu Keșerü Ludogorets Razgrad 26
2 Brazil Fernando Karanga CSKA Sofia 23
3 Portugal Pedro Eugénio Beroe 16
4 Bulgaria Steven Petkov Botev Plovdiv 15
5 Bulgaria Martin Kamburov Beroe Stara Zagora 14
6 Netherlands Virgil Misidjan Ludogorets Razgrad 12
7 Bulgaria Ivaylo Dimitrov Slavia Sofia 11
Bulgaria Martin Toshev Septemvri Sofia
9 Senegal Alioune Badará Etar 10
Brazil João Paulo Botev Plovdiv[n 1]
11 Brazil Fernando Viana Botev Plovdiv 9
Bulgaria Marcelinho Ludogorets Razgrad
Bulgaria Todor Nedelev Botev Plovdiv
Portugal Tiago Rodrigues CSKA Sofia
Bulgaria Galin Ivanov Slavia Sofia
Czech Republic David Jablonský Levski Sofia
Bulgaria Dimo Bakalov Lokomotiv Plovdiv
Bulgaria Stanislav Kostov Levski Sofia[n 2]
19 Bulgaria Vasil Shopov Dunav Ruse 8
Bulgaria Kiril Despodov CSKA Sofia
Brazil Paulinho Levski Sofia
22 Bulgaria Miroslav Budinov Septemvri Sofia[n 3] 7
Romania Sergiu Buș Levski Sofia
Bulgaria Boris Galchev Septemvri Sofia
France Chris Gadi Septemvri Sofia
Democratic Republic of the Congo Jody Lukoki Ludogorets Razgrad
Poland Jakub Świerczok Ludogorets Razgrad
Brazil Wanderson Ludogorets Razgrad
29 Democratic Republic of the Congo Junior Mapuku Levski Sofia 6
Bulgaria Mariyan Ognyanov Cherno More
Bulgaria Ivan Minchev Slavia Sofia
Bulgaria Radoslav Vasilev Cherno More
Bulgaria Ismail Isa Dunav Ruse[n 4]
Bulgaria Georgi Iliev Cherno More
Algeria Mehdi Fennouche Cherno More[n 5]
Notes
  1. ^ Including 1 goal for Ludogorets Razgrad.
  2. ^ Including 6 goals for Pirin Blagoevgrad.
  3. ^ Including 6 goals for Dunav Ruse.
  4. ^ Including 2 goals for Vereya.
  5. ^ Including 3 goals for Vereya.

Hat-tricks[edit]

Player For Against Result Date
Brazil Fernando Karanga CSKA Sofia Botev Plovdiv 6–2[56] 30 July 2017
Democratic Republic of the Congo Junior Mapuku Levski Sofia Pirin Blagoevgrad 3–0[57] 18 August 2017
Brazil Fernando Viana4 Botev Plovdiv Septemvri Sofia 5–0[58] 12 October 2017
Romania Claudiu Keșerü Ludogorets Razgrad Etar 4–0[59] 23 October 2017
Brazil Fernando Karanga CSKA Sofia Beroe 6–0[60] 10 December 2017
Portugal Pedro Eugénio Beroe Cherno More 4–1[61] 17 February 2018
Romania Claudiu Keșerü Ludogorets Razgrad Beroe 7–0[62] 18 April 2018

Clean sheets[edit]

As of match(es) played on 25 May 2018[63]
Rank Player Club Clean sheets
1 Bulgaria Bozhidar Mitrev Levski Sofia 19
2 Lithuania Vytautas Černiauskas CSKA Sofia 17
3 Argentina Jorge Broun Ludogorets Razgrad 12
4 Slovakia Dušan Perniš Beroe 11
5 Bulgaria Blagoy Makendzhiev Cherno More[g 1] 10
6 Bulgaria Ivan Čvorović Botev Plovdiv 9
Brazil Renan Ludogorets Razgrad
8 Bulgaria Yanko Georgiev Septemvri Sofia 8
Bulgaria Ilko Pirgov Lokomotiv Plovdiv
10 Bulgaria Georgi Argilashki Beroe[g 2] 7
11 Bulgaria Stanislav Antonov Dunav Ruse 6
Bulgaria Emil Mihaylov Cherno More
13 Bulgaria Martin Lukov Dunav Ruse 5
Greece Antonis Stergiakis Slavia Sofia
Bulgaria Hristo Ivanov Etar
16 Bulgaria Nikolay Georgiev Vitosha Bistritsa 3
Bulgaria Valentin Galev Septemvri Sofia
Bulgaria Georgi Georgiev Pirin Blagoevgrad
19 Bulgaria Georgi Petkov Slavia Sofia 2
Croatia Antoni Milina Lokomotiv Plovdiv
Poland Daniel Kajzer Botev Plovdiv
22 Ukraine Yevhen Borovyk Cherno More 1
Bulgaria Ivan Dyulgerov Cherno More
Bulgaria Mihail Ivanov Vitosha Bistritsa
Bulgaria Petar Ivanov Levski Sofia
Bulgaria Aleksandar Lyubenov Levski Sofia
Bulgaria Nikolay Radev Vitosha Bistritsa
Bulgaria Hristiyan Vasilev Vitosha Bistritsa
Notes
  1. ^ Including 7 clean sheets for Pirin Blagoevgrad.
  2. ^ Including 6 clean sheets for Vereya.

Transfers[edit]

References[edit]

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External links[edit]

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