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While the Romanian Liga 1 playoffs ended and Astra Giurgiu won the title, there is still football to be played in the relegation group and the match between Voluntari and Petrolul is as vital as it gets in the battle to avoid the drop.
Voluntari sits on a position that sends to the promotion / relegation playoff, with 22 points. Below them are ACS Poli with 20 points and Petrolul with 18 poins, so these three will fight for that spot currently owned by Voluntari, in order to avoid direct relegation. Voluntari could still climb up to full safety, put they have to overturn a 6 point deficit in 3 rounds, so that seems almost impossible.
The hosts didn`t seem to have problems with relegation a while back, but they managed to lose no less than 6 consecutive matches, allowing 2 or more goals in each of those games! The old coach was (strangely) fired, the president quit his job after that and Voluntari was left on the hands of a no name manager who seems to have had a negative impact so far. The defense is in absolute shambles and things are not looking good for the hosts.
Petrolul was penalized with 6 points at the start of the season and looked as good as relegated from start to finish. A couple of weeks ago it seemed that they will be mathematically relegated in 2 matches, but an incredible turn of events saw Petrolul win two games in a row, last time 3-2 at home over relegation rivals ACS Poli. Benefiting from Voluntari’s dreadful form, Petrolul now has an honest shot to stay up as long as they win today. It would be an absolute miracle for a team that not long ago was signing the likes of Adrian Mutu and challenging for the title, but is now in all kinds of financial trouble – with the players being unpaid for many months. Some of them have already left, but the current squad showed amazing character in the last couple of rounds.
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Team news & lineups:
Vodut is out for Voluntari, while Kone, Alcenat, Spahija and Grigore are doubtful. Mares and Stana are out for Petrolul.
FC Voluntari: Bornescu – Rus, Maftei, Novakovic, Filipov – Novac, Moke – Capatana, Achim, Enceanu – Pancu
Petrolul Ploiesti: Cobrea – David, Miselaricu, Benga, Begeorgi – Gavrila, Bucsa, Guerriero, Ziani – Zoubir, Astafei
Both teams are in total disarray as far as management is concerned, but Petroul finds itself in much better form. Voluntari is an artificial team with no fans and old players who don`t really care. Their recent struggles might also be physical, with the high age average taking its toll at the end of the season. Petrolul on the other hand is pumped up and hopeful to achieve a great comeback. The recent wins gave them hope for a miraculous salvation and the players are enthusiastic about pulling it off in spite of playing for free. They are all united and hungry to show their character and get some good contracts with other clubs next season.
While I realize my analysis might suggest a Petrolul win, I will bet on goals here. Voluntari is still the better team and Petrolul’s last two wins were impressive only because nobody believed their modest squad of unpaid players could earn any more points. They barely beat a second string CFR side and second to last placed Poli, which is in a similar situation. As such, I don`t trust Petrolul here.
I can see goals happening as the visitors absolutely need to win and they stated they will come here to attack and earn the three points. I have no reason to doubt that, as they have nobody to report to, they are unpaid, so they just want to play football. I can see them scoring against a Voluntari side that is defending horribly – the hosts allowed 14 goals in the last 6 matches, while Petrolul definitely has its best players up front with Gavrila, Zoubir and Astafei. On the other hand, an experienced team like Voluntari could well take advantage of Petrolul’s naivety, hitting once or twice themselves.
Both teams to score is a good option but I believe over 2,5 goals is better, as the odds are so much higher. The two teams last met seven weeks ago, with Voluntari winning 2-1 (their last win before the 6 match losing streak). All in all, my tip is over 2,5 goals to be scored. Prediction: FC Voluntari – Petrolul Ploiesti 2-2.
Pick: over 2,5 goals
Odds: 2.17 @ 1xBet
Stake: 8
Possible profit: 9.36
Event date: 21 May
