FCSB – Univ. Craiova : Preview & Prediction
Steaua Bucharest and Universitatea Craiova face at Arena Naţională, in a match for the 2nd round of Liga I. In this stadium, the history of direct clashes is favorable to the home team, which has 7 wins and 1 draw in the last 8 matches. Indeed, the last time these teams met at this stadium, on 08‑03‑2020, in a match for the Liga I, FCSB won by (4‑1). The goals of the match were scored by D. Man (84′ ), R. Oaidă (23′ and 57′ ) and F. Tănase (79′ ), for Steaua Bucharest, and by C. Bărbuț (45′ ), for Universitatea Craiova .
The home team comes to this 2 nd round after the (0‑0) draw in their league debut, against Botoşani. In the last 10 home matches Steaua Bucharest has a record of 5 wins, 3 draws and 2 losses. Defensive consistency hasn’t been their best feature, as they have conceded goals in 8 of the last 10 matches, but their offense has scored consistently, as they have scored goals in 7 of the last 10 matches.
Steua from Bucharest comes for this match after a 1–0 home win against Shakhter Karagandy, in the first match of the second qualifying round of the UEFA Europa League League, against Kazakhstan. Andrei Cordea was the author of the only goal, in the thirty-eight minutes.
The team led by Dinu Todoran should line up in the usual 4-3-3 system, privileging defensive organization and counterattacks, mostly channeled through the side aisles. The three most advanced players on the field, tasked with causing panic in the opposing area are Florin Tanase, Andrei Cordea and Octavian Popescu. In turn, the center aisle should be formed by Ionut Vina, Oividiu Popescu and Olimpiu Morutan. For this match, the home team’s coach is without the following players: Ionut Pantiru and Adrian Sut, both due to injury according to reports.
The away team comes to this 2 nd round after the win in their league debut, against Argeş, by (1‑0). In the last 10 away matches in all competitions, Universitatea Craiova won 3, drew 5 and lost 2. Their attack has scored regularly, as they have managed to score in 7 of the last 10 matches. In their away matches there is a tendency towards few goals, as 13 of their last 29 matches ended with Under 1.5 goals and 19 out of 29 ended with Under 2.5 goals. In the last 20 away matches for all competitions there is 1 period that stands out: they have conceded 4 of their 11 goals between minutes (16’‑30′).
Universitatea Craiova comes unmotivated for this match after losing away from home to Albanian KF Laçi, by 1–0, in a match counting for the first match of the second qualifying phase of the Europa Conference League. Dejan Zarubica scored the “goal” of the triumph, in the thirty-five minutes. The visitors had good opportunities to come out with another result, but they missed a lot in the finish.
For this game, away from home, Greek Marinos Ouzounidis should keep the team in the usual 4-3-3 formation, promoting possession of the ball and organized attacks. Elvir Koljic, Andrei Ivan and George Cimpanu should be the main figures in the visitors’ attack. As far as the midfield is concerned, Alexandru Cicaldau, Alexandru Mateiu and Dan Nistor are likely to play. Apparently, the Universitatea Craiova coach is without the injured Paul Papp and the striker Mihai Roman.
FCSB – Univ. Craiova : Betting Tips
FCSB – Win Odds: 2.25
Both teams to score / YES – Odds: 1.70
Over 2.5 Goals – Odds: 1.70
