Match Previews
CSKA Sofia
CSKA Sofia have failed to win a league game again, coming off a 1-1 draw at home with Beroe Stara Zagora on Saturday. This leaves them winless in five league games (drawing out of four) - from a dramatic victory in stoppage time 1-0 win over Slavia Sofia on 30 August, however, their European campaign has exceeded expectations in the best interim.
You kicked-off their European tour in the first qualifying round, the team Stamen Belchev have already eliminated the likes of sirens (Mala), BATE Borisov (Belarus) and B36 Torshavn (Faroe Islands) en route to the play-off round where CSKA Sofia managed to beat the odds when the Reds triumphed 3-1 in Basel. As a result of its winning streak, the ArmyMen returned to the group stage of the Champions League for the first time since 2010-11.
Stamen Belchev likely to make changes to the team that eliminated Basel in the repechage.
Tiago Rodrigues was the replacement of gold at the St. Jakob Park as he scored twice to mark the return of CSKA Sofia and Basel agains the Portuguese playmaker is set to start here, which means either Geferson or Amos Youga should sit on the bench.
Experienced-pattern Petar Zanev returned to action for the first team after a long recovery from his experience coronavirus and could start young intern with Valentin Antov, wearing the captain's armband during his absence, while summer signing Jurgen Mattheij you may have to settle for a place on the bench.
Plamen defender Galabov, which started in every game in the Europa League so far, was hit in the ribs during the 2-2 draw with Etar before the break and has yet to resume full training. That said, the French defender Thibaut Vion and young intern Ivan Turitsov are competing for the right side. A difficult decision - because it lacks match practice while his French partner is still not optimally.
Ali Sowe transfer failed at the last moment when he got to join the club of Ligue 1 Dijon, but Gambia striker will stay at CSKA Sofia for another few months, at least. Which it is set to lead the line against CFR Cluj, although fellow forward Ahmed Ahmedov scored the third goal against Basel.
CFR Cluj
Dan Petrescu side remain unbeaten in the Romanian league, he comes from a 2-1 victory over Botosani in his first game after the break.
Despite its invicta form (4 wins and 3 draws), Ferroviarios are third in the domestic league, six points of the leader, Universitatea Craiova still fall point.
In fact, the CFR Cluj has not lost a game in the regular game, after being eliminated from the Champions League scores for Dinamo Zagreb after a penalty shootout. However, they have continued their European campaign in the UEFA Europa League and have reached the group stage after victories over two Scandinavian sides - Djurgarden (1-0) in Sweden and Finland KuPS of (3-0 at home in the playoffs) .
CFR Cluj are in the group stage of the Champions League for the second consecutive season, as even reached the knockout stage in 2019-20, when the Romanians were eliminated by future champions Sevilla in the round of 32. However, worth mentioning that CFR Cluj have not lost in both rounds, as they were eliminated due to the away goals rule marked after a 1-1 draw at Cluj-Napoca, in the first leg and a goalless draw in Seville.
Gabriel Debeljuh scored his second goal in the league at the weekend and fourth in all competitions and the Croatian striker will probably lead the Romanian attack in Sofia. Established according to veteran Venezuelan Mario Rondon together opts If Petrescu for a 4-4-2 Sofia.
One of the key players - midfielder Mihai Bordeianu - followed in the footsteps of his former teammate Giedrius Arlauskis when he joined a club of Saudi Arabia and the champions of Romania soon found a substitute in William Soares da Silva, who came from Gil Vicente Portuguese.
With international experience Iasmin Latovlevici Romania joined CFR Cluj and could be an option to start at left-back, while winger Nicolae Carnat, who arrived from Sepsi, boost attacking options Dan Petrescu too.
Defender Andrei Burca remains questionable, since the weekend clash against Botosani Romania was lost, but international surely start if fit.
CSKA Sofia vs CFR Cluj Prediction
Bulgarians will be high on confidence when facing the Romanian side. Their advantage land given a slight advantage over the Railwaymen in the game.
In addition, the CFR Cluj played in the name of desertion phase CL classification. Still, keep in mind that the opposite side made a double victory in the qualifying THE confirm a place in the group stage.
The host has only one defeat in their last ten games in major competitions on the schedule. Meanwhile, Cluj has an unbeaten record of ten clashes in its general form.
A seeing that the two teams are in a similar way in the middle, bettors will be interested to take their chances in a tie game. Therefore, the double possibility of favoring CSKA Sofia will probably be the best choice for bettors at the meeting.
CSKA Sofia vs CFR Cluj Betting tips
Double Chance: CSKA Sofia or Draw @ 1.40 (2/5).
