Prediction: Maccabi Petah Tikva vs CFR Cluj

Verdict: Away win

Best odds: 71/100

Bookmaker: ZetBet

Former Romanian champions CFR Cluj travel to Bulgaria to face Maccabi Petah Tikva in the first leg of the Conference League semifinal qualifiers. The game will kick off at 9 pm in Sofia at Vivacom Arena – Georgi Asparuhov Stadium where the visitors are expected to have more fans in the stands.

Maccabi Petah Tikva

Following an impressive season at the end of which Maccabi Petah Tikva won their 3rd State Cup, the hosts were granted the Europa League tickets. However, the fairytale was short as the hosts were knocked out in the first qualifying round after facing Portuguese side Braga. Although the Luzons were expected to perform better in the second leg after losing in Portugal (2-0), the Israeli side suffered a shock defeat in front of their fans (5-0), ending prematurely their Europa League adventure disastrously (7-0 on aggregate).

While the domestic competitions are yet to start at the end of August, the hosts relocated to Sofia where they will play the remaining European games. The Luzons started their campaign with a pre-season friendly against local side CSKA Sofia (2-1 defeat) before facing Maccabi Tel Aviv in the Super Cup.

Yet, a tight contest was expected in Tel Aviv at Bloomfield Stadium, Maccabi Peth Tikva failed to meet fans’ expectations after conceding 14 minutes into the game, with a decisive stoppage-time blow keeping the trophy in the capital (2-0 final score). Furthermore, the back-to-back defeats against Braga led the hosts to their 4th consecutive loss since the start of the season, a pattern unlikely to change following the 1st leg contest against CFR Cluj.

Team News

Manager Dan Roman has a full-fit squad ready to face CFR Cluj. Still, the young coach is expected to remain faithful to his 3-5-2 system, his defensive line will have a tough task ahead to block CFR Cluj’s strikers. Furthermore, the coach needs to adjust the front line which failed to perform recently after missing the target in the last three competitive games (against Braga and Maccabi Tel Aviv).

CFR Cluj

After a disappointing season with a failed bid to regain the Liga 1 champions crown, CFR Cluj secured their presence in the Conference League following a strong finish in the championship playoffs. While the waters were murky during the summer as the visitors were looking to find the right man to get CFR Cluj back at the top, the return of all-time favourite Dan Petrescu at the helm was timed perfectly.

Despite the enthusiasm shown by the fans, the White and Burgundies had a disappointing start to their campaign, recording a pair of wins in six games. While a debut game won in front of their fans against Dinamo Bucharest was the perfect result in CFR’s bid to win the championship, the team disappointed in the following games (D2, L1).

Still, Dan Petrescu’s team impressed against Neman in the quarter-final qualification double, securing their progress in the competition with a stunning 5-0 away win. It was CFR Cluj’s best output across all competitions, a performance they aim to replicate against Macabbi Petah Tikva.

Yet the Whites and Burgundies returned to domestic action packed with confidence following the achievement against Neman, a defeat in the City of Cluj derby against bitter rivals U Cluj (2-3 final score) swiftly changed the mood in CFR Cluj’s locker room. Although CFR took the lead at halftime, conceding three goals in the second term resurfaced defensive issues Dan Petrescu failed to address as his side conceded nine goals in four rounds in Liga 1.

Team News

With no major injury concerns, the visitors are expected to use the same 4-3-3 ultra-offensive attacking setup that allows Dan Petrescu’s side control of the game. Striker Daniel Birligea will lead the attacking line aiming to up his numbers after recording two goals and two assists in four games.

Key factors to consider

• Maccabi Petah Tikva were knocked out of the Europa League by Braga (7-0 on aggregate)
• The host lost all of their competitive games (3) played this season without scoring
• CFR Cluj reached the semifinal qualification round after a stunning win away at Neman (5-0)
• The visitors failed to impress in the domestic league recording a single win in four games

Conclusion

Although CFR Cluj and Maccabi Petah Tikva disappointed with results below expectations, the visitors’ 5-0 trashing of Neman positions Dan Petrescu’s side as favourites to win the game.

Verdict: Away win

Best odds: 71/100

Bookmaker: ZetBet