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Verdict: House win
Finest odds: 49/50
Bookmaker: ZetBet
Failing to show a robust efficiency in Slovenia, Universitatea Craiova wants a miracle at Ion Oblemenco Stadium to show across the 2-0 defeat at Maribor. The second leg can be performed in entrance of 30, 000 followers who anticipate their favourites to supply a miracle within the Convention League quarter-finals qualification spherical.
Universitatea Craiova
With qualification within the subsequent spherical of the Convention League wanting unlikely, Universitatea Craiova wants a miracle at Ion Oblemenco Stadium. Though the hosts missed the goal in Slovenia, U Craiova wants pinpoint precision to mount a historic comeback. Whereas not seen as a heavyweight of Romanian soccer anymore, Universitatea Craiova’s former glory days are lengthy forgotten.
Though the staff from Banie was anticipated to mount a title battle the earlier season following heavy funding within the squad, with a number of of its gamers making it into Romania’s 2024 Euro squad, the managerial modifications introduced a whole lot of instability to the membership. Nonetheless, some latest stability settled at U Craiova since Costel Galga took cost within the dugout.
The previous Romania worldwide participant took over the reins in mid-April and certified his staff within the Convention League following a play-off sport received in opposition to Universitatea Cluj on the finish of the earlier season. Nonetheless, regardless of ending the final time period on a excessive, the pre-season pleasant video games noticed the White and Blues recording a single win in 4 video games (W1L3). This sample was displayed at Craiova’s championship debut after they recorded a goalless draw at Hermanstadt.
Though Costel Galca’s gamers did not make an impression on the highway, trashing UTA at house in Liga 1 signifies Craiova is a special staff at Ion Oblemenco Stadium. Whereas this success was the proper end result earlier than travelling to Maribor, a crimson card obtained by Denil Maldonado flipped the percentages in Maribor’s favour who took benefit of this chance and hit the mark twice within the second half.
But, Craiova bounced again shortly within the subsequent sport performed away at former Liga 1 champions CFR Cluj surprisingly profitable 2-0, making their followers consider in a remontada at Ion Oblemenco Stadium.
Staff Information
Defensive midfielder Vladimir Screciu is the one unavailable participant after sustaining a muscle fibre tear. With no different accidents within the squad, Costel Galca is anticipated to line up a 4-3-3 attacking formation. Alexandru Mitrita, Craiova’s most dear participant can be eager to enhance his numbers after scoring twice and helping a objective in three video games.
Maribor
Slovenia’s Prva Liga final season runners up began their present European marketing campaign within the Europa League. Nonetheless, regardless of being seeded in opposition to an accessible opponent, the guests have been surprisingly knocked out by Beroe early on, following an intense doubleheader that noticed the Bulgarians progressing additional (4-3 on mixture).
This shock end result dropped the 16-time Slovenia title winner to the Convention League quarter-final in a fantastic place to achieve the group stage as a final probability to proceed their European journey. Whereas Maribor impressed within the pre-season pleasant video games with a superb report (W4D1L1), the shock in opposition to Beroe left a bitter style to its followers.
Nonetheless, an ideal debut within the Prva Liga with a convincing house win in opposition to Domzale (4-1) was a robust assertion earlier than internet hosting Universitatea Craiova within the first leg. With all weapons hitting the goal, the guests are actually in a fantastic place to achieve the semi-final qualification spherical following the 2-0 win.
Moreover, in addition to the attacking energy, The Purples displayed a robust defensive position after conceding one objective within the final two video games, a serious enchancment because the house sport in opposition to Beroe when Maribor failed twice.
Staff Information
Coach Ante Simundza is glad to have all his gamers match and able to play in opposition to Universitatea Craiova. The skilled Slovenian supervisor is raring to see his gamers replicating the final two glorious shows. In-form Austrian striker Arne Jakupovic will spearhead the attacking line, trying to get his identify on the scoreboard. The younger hitman scored a brace in opposition to Domzale and what might show decisive, a late objective in opposition to Craiova that prolonged his staff lead within the first leg.
Key components to think about
- Universitatea Craiova is undefeated in Liga 1 (W2D1)
- The hosts are in nice form after defeating CFR Cluj away from house (2-0)
- NK Maribor was knocked out from the Europa League by Bulgarian facet Beroe
- The guests scored six objectives within the final two aggressive video games
Conclusion
Though NK Maribor is tipped to progress additional following the 2-0 house win, we anticipate a decent contest at Ion Oblemenco Stadium. Moreover, the weaknesses displayed by the Slovenian facet in opposition to Beroe will be explored by Universitatea Craiova.
Verdict: House win
Finest odds: 49/50
Bookmaker: ZetBet
