Steaua – CSU Craiova

Steaua Bucharest CSU Craiova betting previewSteaua and CSU Craiova will square off in the second round of the Romanian Liga 1. The match will be played without spectators.

Normally Steaua should have odds of about 1.20 here, but there are a few factors working against them, thus giving us a higher price. Steaua is the best team in Romania and they have an amazing domestic record at home, they won about 95% of their home games in the last two seasons in the league and cup. The current champions also started the season pretty well despite losing their coach and a few important players in the summer: they drew with a strong Astra side in the Supercup, beat Rapid Bucharest twice (League Cup, Cup) and easily got past Stromsgodset in the Champions League qualies with 2 wins. However, Steaua is on the back of a bad performance in a 2-2 draw against Aktobe, a result which requires a focused performance in the second leg next week – having this in mind, Steaua will rest 4-5 starters today. Also it was a very tough travel to Kazahstan, and that might produce some fatigue, though it is just the start of the season.

The visitors are a ghost-team, founded 2 years ago by the City Hall as an election utensil, formally replacing the legendary Universitatea Craiova who has been disintegrated by their owner and the Football Federation. CSU Craiova promoted last year but the City Council has pumped big money into this team and they are expected to comfortably finish mid-table this season, probably somewhere between the 8th and 10th place. However, they don`t have the best chemistry in the squad with a lot of new players, their coach is also unreliable and this was seen in the first two matches of the season – losing 1-0 to Rapid (a team which Steaua easily beat twice) and barely saving a 1-1 draw at home against Pandurii. CSU seems to be pretty decent at the back, but their offensive game is bad.

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Team news & lineups

As I said Steaua will probably rest a couple of guys and center back Gardos is injured, but they are expecting to field a competitive team, as they have a lot of depth. It`s pretty hard to predict an exact lineup for Steaua but I will give it an educated guess based on the reports I`m hearing and on my personal opinion. CSU Craiova will pretty much field their best lineup.

Steaua Bucuresti: Arlauskis – Rapa, Varela, Tosca, Parvulescu – Sanmartean, Neagu – Iancu, Stanciu, Valceanu – Lemnaru

CSU Craiova: Brac – Dananae, Frasinescu, Kay, Vatajelu – Madson, Nuno Rocha – Baluţa, Ferfelea, Bancu – Curelea

There are arguments for CSU Craiova to perform here (no fans, Steaua resting players, Steaua supposedly tired), but in my opinion they won`t materialize – Steaua is just a class above pretty much any side in Romania (except Astra, Petrolul) and they should do the job at home. Even with some key players missing they are still a mile away from Craiova in terms of quality. Steaua used a lot of reserves in the previous 2 domestic matches with Rapid and won each time in dominant manner – on the road, on a very hostile field. Steaua proved time and time again that they can perform in Romania without several key players when they play at home, with or without fans, so I can see them winning this one. They really can`t afford an early slip up in a match they should win, not with Petrolul and especially Astra looking really good this season. If they can win with handicap, which I think they can, we get a great return of investment at some excellent odds. My tip is Steaua to win and cover the 1 goal asian handicap. I don`t think CSU Craiova has the strength to score, they don`t look as a dangerous side at the moment and Steaua should be able to bang in the goals at least twice. Prediction: Steaua Bucharest – CSU Craiova 2-0.

Pick: Steaua (-1 Asian Handicap)
Odds: 1.84 @ Sbobet
Stake: 10
Possible profit: 8.4
Event date: 2 August

About Rostick

Born in '88. Running betting tips websites since 2007. Launched Betdistrict in 2013. Worked as a bookie for a year to spy on the other side. Rugby Union and NBA expert. Editor info & statistics.

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