Prediction: Universitatea Craiova vs Maribor

Verdict: Home win

Best odds: 49/50

Bookmaker: ZetBet

Failing to display a strong performance in Slovenia, Universitatea Craiova needs a miracle at Ion Oblemenco Stadium to turn around the 2-0 defeat at Maribor. The second leg will be played in front of 30, 000 fans who expect their favourites to produce a miracle in the Conference League quarter-finals qualification round.

Universitatea Craiova

With qualification in the next round of the Conference League looking unlikely, Universitatea Craiova needs a miracle at Ion Oblemenco Stadium. Although the hosts missed the target in Slovenia, U Craiova needs pinpoint precision to mount a historic comeback. While not seen as a heavyweight of Romanian football anymore, Universitatea Craiova’s former glory days are long forgotten.

Although the team from Banie was expected to mount a title fight the previous season following heavy investment in the squad, with several of its players making it into Romania’s 2024 Euro squad, the managerial changes brought a lot of instability to the club. However, some recent stability settled at U Craiova since Costel Galga took charge in the dugout.

The former Romania international player took over the reins in mid-April and qualified his team in the Conference League following a play-off game won against Universitatea Cluj at the end of the previous season. Still, despite ending the last term on a high, the pre-season friendly games saw the White and Blues recording a single win in four games (W1L3). This pattern was displayed at Craiova’s championship debut when they recorded a goalless draw at Hermanstadt.

Although Costel Galca’s players failed to make an impression on the road, trashing UTA at home in Liga 1 indicates Craiova is a different team at Ion Oblemenco Stadium. While this success was the perfect result before travelling to Maribor, a red card received by Denil Maldonado flipped the odds in Maribor’s favour who took advantage of this opportunity and hit the mark twice in the second half.

Yet, Craiova bounced back quickly in the next game played away at former Liga 1 champions CFR Cluj surprisingly winning 2-0, making their fans believe in a remontada at Ion Oblemenco Stadium.

Team News

Defensive midfielder Vladimir Screciu is the only unavailable player after sustaining a muscle fibre tear. With no other injuries in the squad, Costel Galca is expected to line up a 4-3-3 attacking formation. Alexandru Mitrita, Craiova’s most valuable player will be keen to improve his numbers after scoring twice and assisting a goal in three games.

Maribor

Slovenia’s Prva Liga last season runners up started their current European campaign in the Europa League. However, despite being seeded against an accessible opponent, the visitors were surprisingly knocked out by Beroe early on, following an intense doubleheader that saw the Bulgarians progressing further (4-3 on aggregate).

This shock result dropped the 16-time Slovenia title winner to the Conference League quarter-final in a great position to reach the group stage as a last chance to continue their European journey. While Maribor impressed in the pre-season friendly games with an excellent record (W4D1L1), the shock against Beroe left a sour taste to its fans.

However, a perfect debut in the Prva Liga with a convincing home win against Domzale (4-1) was a strong statement before hosting Universitatea Craiova in the first leg. With all guns hitting the target, the visitors are now in a great position to reach the semi-final qualification round following the 2-0 win.

Furthermore, besides the attacking power, The Purples displayed a strong defensive line after conceding one goal in the last two games, a major improvement since the home game against Beroe when Maribor failed twice.

Team News

Coach Ante Simundza is happy to have all his players fit and ready to play against Universitatea Craiova. The experienced Slovenian manager is eager to see his players replicating the last two excellent displays. In-form Austrian striker Arne Jakupovic will spearhead the attacking line, looking to get his name on the scoreboard. The young hitman scored a brace against Domzale and what could prove decisive, a late goal against Craiova that extended his team lead in the first leg.

Key factors to consider

• Universitatea Craiova is undefeated in Liga 1 (W2D1)
• The hosts are in great shape after defeating CFR Cluj away from home (2-0)
• NK Maribor was knocked out from the Europa League by Bulgarian side Beroe
• The visitors scored six goals in the last two competitive games

Conclusion

Although NK Maribor is tipped to progress further following the 2-0 home win, we expect a tight contest at Ion Oblemenco Stadium. Furthermore, the weaknesses displayed by the Slovenian side against Beroe can be explored by Universitatea Craiova.

Verdict: Home win

Best odds: 49/50

Bookmaker: ZetBet