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Universitatea Craiova will aim to overturn a slender first-leg deficit when they host Bulgarian champions Levski Sofia at Stadionul Ion Oblemenco on Wednesday for the second leg of the UEFA Champions League second qualifying round.
The Romanian hosts are seeking to exploit their home advantage, with the hope of getting a favourable result after a narrow defeat in Sofia.
Meanwhile, the visiting side hope to defend their slim lead in the return leg and progress to the next phase.
Read our prediction, preview and betting tips for the game below, and make sure to check out our today's betting tips page for more of our expert predictions.
Craiova vs. Levski Sofia key stats
- Levski Sofia are in good form, having stayed unbeaten in their last 12 games across all competitions.
- Craiova have suffered back-to-back losses, including their first leg of their UCL clash against the visitors.
- Craiova have failed to keep a clean sheet in three of their last five home games in all competitions.
Craiova vs. Levski Sofia preview: Hosts plan second-leg comeback
Craiova vs. Levski Sofia — Tale of the Tape
| Craiova | vs | Levski Sofia |
|---|---|---|
| 11th | Position | 1st |
| 3 | Points | 6 |
| 5 | Goals For | 4 |
| 5 | Goals Against | 2 |
| 1 | Clean Sheets | 0 |
| 2nd/16th | Home / Away Rank | 2nd/2nd |
Craiova have already shown their quality in this season's qualifiers by comfortably overcoming ML Vitebsk 5-1 on aggregate in the opening round.
They also enjoyed a domestic 4-0 victory that same weekend over UTA Arad to extend their unbeaten run.
However, the run came to an end in their first leg encounter against Levski Sofia, ending in a 1-0 away loss.
The defeat also extended to their league game, which saw them suffer a heavy 5-1 away loss to Dinamo Bucuresti last weekend.
Following the series of defeats, Filipe Coelho's side will be looking to end their losing streak and try to overturn the one-goal deficit.
The White-Blues know only a victory will keep their Champions League ambitions alive as they attempt to produce another strong European performance at the Ion Oblemenco Stadium.
Levski Sofia, meanwhile, travel to Romania in excellent form both in the league and Europe, having taken a slim advantage in the first leg.
The Bulgarian outfit have made a perfect start to the new Parva Liga campaign with two wins from two matches.
They have also taken their good start to the season into their Champions League qualifiers, netting six goals and conceding just one.
The Blues booked their place in the second qualifying round with a convincing 5-1 aggregate success over Borac before edging ahead against Craiova in last week's first leg.
With momentum firmly on their side, Levski will be confident of protecting their narrow lead and taking another step towards the UCL league phase.
Craiova vs. Levski Sofia form guide & betting tips
| Craiova | vs | Levski Sofia |
|---|---|---|
DWWLL |
Form | DWWWW |
| 7 | Goals For | 10 |
| 7 | Goals Against | 3 |
WWL |
Champions League qualification | DWW |
Whispers predicts: Craiova 1-1 Levski Sofia
Universitatea Craiova lost the first leg of this encounter and will be looking to overturn a one-goal deficit against Levski Sofia.
They have a strong home record at Stadionul Ion Oblemenco and will look to take the game to the visitors, but Levski Sofia will hope to maintain their away form.
We expect a tight encounter in the second leg, and we are predicting a 1-1 draw on the night, with the visitors qualifying for the next round.
The bookmakers have priced Craiova at 10/11 (1.91) odds to win the match, and a draw is currently priced at 5/2 (3.50).
An away victory for Levski Sofia is valued at 3/1 (4.00), making them the underdogs despite their first leg advantage.
The market for under 2.5 goals is set at 8/11 (1.73), while both teams to score is valued at 10/11 (1.91).
Also, with the first leg advantage of the visitors, an away team double chance is given at 10/11 (1.91).
> Full-time draw at 5/2 (3.50) | Likelihood: Probable
> Both teams to score at 10/11 (1.91) | Likelihood: Probable
> Under 2.5 goals at 8/11 (1.73) | Likelihood: Possible
> Away team double chance at 10/11 (1.91) | Likelihood: Possible