Match preview — Craiova hungry to capitalise at Ion Oblemenco
Universitatea Craiova returns to Stadionul Ion Oblemenco on February 12 with momentum that reads well on paper. Group leaders in the Romania Cup after two victories and an eye-catching +7 goal difference, Craiova arrive with recent domestic form that includes victories over Petrolul 52 (4-0) and Botoşani (2-0), and a hard-fought 1-1 draw away at Dinamo Bucureşti. Their attacking statistics are impressive: 35 total shots with 18 on target across the sample and averages that underline sustained offensive pressure. The home side’s matches show a tendency to spray shots and corners — a corners average of nine per match and nearly 167 attacks on average point to a team that presses high and seeks to dominate territory.
FCSB’s streaky profile and recent signs of life
FCSB arrive as a contrast: capable of explosive results but erratic. Their last outings include a convincing 4-1 win at Otelul and wins over Botoşani and Csikszereda, balanced by a heavy 1-4 defeat to CFR Cluj not long ago. In the Cup group they sit fourth with one win and one loss, scoring three and conceding four. The underlying numbers suggest fewer sustained attacking phases — just 11 total shots and an average of 5.5 per game in the data set, with only four shots on target overall and a modest corners average of two. That profile fits a side that can be clinical on the break but may struggle to control longer spells against a proactive opponent.
Key battles and what the stats tell us
This tie shapes up as one between Craiova’s territorial dominance and FCSB’s counter and finishing potency. Craiova’s dangerous attacks average (99) dwarfs FCSB’s (38), indicating an expected territorial and chance-creation advantage for the home side. Head-to-head memory gives FCSB a recent 1-0 win last October, but Cup form and the home metrics suggest Craiova are better placed to impose themselves this time. Recent best-player performances in the respective previous rounds — Carlos Mora earning praise for Craiova and Florin Tănase standing out for FCSB — highlight that individual moments could decide tight phases, but sustained pressure will likely tilt the game.
Prediction and betting suggestion
Given the balance of attacking volume, home advantage at Ion Oblemenco and Craiova’s momentum in the Cup group, the most sensible market here is the 1X2. Backing Universitatea Craiova to win is the primary recommendation: they possess the quantity of chances and set-piece threat to turn pressure into goals. For readers who want to refine market choice, consider exploring broader strategy pieces such as Soccer betting tips and the choice of markets and, as always, keep discipline in your staking by remembering How to have emotional control when placing bets?
Betting suggestion: 1X2 — Universitatea Craiova to win.
