Viitorul – Steaua

Viitorul Constanta and Steaua Bucharest square off in a very interesting match betting-wise here in the Romanian Liga 1 sixth round. Viitorul are the virtual hosts, but they are a team with no fans which plays its matches near Bucharest, so Steaua will feel just like at home and will have the fan support as well.

Viitorul might just be the weakest team in Romania this season. A perennial relegation candidate (avoided the drop trough some shady maneuvers in the last 2 years), the Constanta side is all but guaranteed to drop this season when 6 teams will relegate. The hosts have failed to win a game so far, having 3 draws and 2 losses despite a pretty easy draw in which they met only one decent side. Last round they gained a 1-1 draw at Pandurii, a team in crisis at that time, but Viitorul was very lucky to escape with a draw as Pandurii had loads of chances.

Steaua Bucharest had a great start to the season both domestically and in the Champions League qualifiers but the last week was a horror show to forget for Steaua. First the Champions lost 1-0 at home to a poor Ceahlaul side and did not even deserve more out of that game. Ok, they played a lot of reserves focusing on the reverse leg against Ludogorets in the UCL playoffs, but what happened there was a total disaster. Steaua received a goal in the 90th minute, was sent to overtime and a penalty shootout, where Ludogorets had to play with defender Cosmin Moti in goal (keeper was sent off in the 119th minute)! Somehow Moti saved 2 penalties and knocked Steaua out of the Champions League – what`s worse is that Moti is actually a Romanian that played 7 years for Steaua’s arch rivals Dinamo, so it was really the worst possible scenario for the Romanians – point of this “story” is that Steaua has a shredded morale coming into this Viitorul game. Still, the Army Men remain the best team in Romania right now.

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Team news & lineups

After being knocked out from the Champions League Steaua will most likely field a lineup close to the best one available here, something they did not do in the previous Liga 1 matches. Key men Tanase and Chipciu are out for Steaua.

Viitorul: Buzbuchi – Manea, Ţâru, Mamele, Mitrea – Pană, Daminuţă, Nikolov – Benzar, Rusu, Tănase

Steaua: Arlauskis – Luchin, Varela, Szukała, Latovlevici – Prepeliţă, Breeveld – Popa, Stanciu, Sânmărtean – Keseru

The difference between these two sides is huge and Viitorul does not even have a real home court advantage. Reports say Steaua will play most of its best players so even with a disastrous morale they are set to wipe the floor with a very, very poor Viitorul side. The two played four matches in the last 2 years since Viitorul got promoted – Steaua won 4-0, 4-0, 3-0 and Viitorul won once 2-5, which brings us to the next argument of this bet.

I`m not counting on this, but it could happen – it`s well known that these two teams are linked, the owners are related and it`s documented that Steaua saved Viitorul from relegation 2 years ago with what is probably the only match I ever saw which I can say it was fixed almost for sure – a 2-5 defeat for Steaua at home. This is a massive game for Steaua, they are in danger of entering a deep crisis and it`s not at all impossible for Viitorul to give them a hand, so we could have a fixed match here. As I said, I am not counting on this at all, but it could be a nice bonus if it happens. My tip is Steaua to win and cover the 1,5 handicap based on the huge quality difference and the fact that Viitorul does not really have home court advantage. The odds are pretty good on the handicap so overall high stakes for me on this bet. Prediction: Viitorul Constanta – Steaua Bucharest 0-3.

Pick: Steaua Bucharest (-1,5)
Odds: 2.11 @ Sbobet
Stake: 9
Possible profit: 9.99
Event date: 30 August