Romanian League
2010-11-28 - Steaua Bucuresti vs CFR Cluj
A Sports Betting Pick by ROzsolt
Football: Romania: Liga 1
Venue: "Ghencea" stadium, Bucuresti, Romania
Sunday 28th November – Kickoff time: 21:00 GMT+2
Steaua Bucuresti (7th W-7 D-4 L-5)
Steaua is hosting CFR Cluj today in what used to be a match between the best teams from Liga 1, but now is just a game between two teams that are not even in one of the top 7 positions on the table.
The “Red and Blues” put an end to a 5 match streak without a win on the road by defeating Targu Mures. However, they struggled once again, scoring the winning goal in the 92th minute.
Despite collecting three points in that game, Steaua lost both his central midfielders (received red cards) so Marius Lacatus will need to improvise in that area, probably using one of his central defenders as a defensive midfielder. The other midfielder will be substitute Marinescu and I think he can successfully replace Ricardo Gomes.
Coach Lacatus also has some injury issues, wingers Nicolita and Szekely, midfielder Radut and left-back Emeghara are all unavailable. Lucky for him, he has a large number of players in his squad so neither of these players is irreplaceable.
Steaua’s home form:
14.11.2010 Liga 1 Etapa 15 Steaua 0 - 1 Gaz Metan Medias
25.10.2010 Liga 1 Etapa 12 Steaua 2 - 0 Pandurii Tg. Jiu
03.10.2010 Liga 1 Etapa 10 Steaua 4 - 2 Sportul Studentesc
20.09.2010 Liga 1 Etapa 8 Steaua 1 - 1 Astra Ploiesti
29.08.2010 Liga 1 Etapa 6 Steaua 1 - 1 FC Timisoara
CFR Cluj (8th W-6 D-5 L-5)
CFR Cluj just sacked Sorin Cartu after probably the worst performance in the clubs European history, despite losing just by one goal they haven’t had any shots on goal against Basel on Tuesday.
Alin Minteauan will sit on CFR’s bench against Steaua, but he is just a provisory solution as the management haven’t found a new coach in such short notice. Since 2005, CFR had 9 different coaches but their opponents from today’s game had even more, 11. The places both teams occupy may be a consequence of this lack of continuity.
CFR has a huge disadvantage tonight, stats are cruel with them when it comes to head-to-head results with Steaua. Since 2004, CFR only won 1 game (at home) and lost 4 out of 6 matches on Steaua’s ground, the last two ending in draws. More than 80 percent of points were taken by Steaua in games against CFR.
CFR Cluj has a poor away record this season, only one victory obtained in their previous travel to Bistrita. They already lost 4 games and have a negative goal balance (-5).
De Zerbi will be the most important absence for CFR, his absence was one of the reasons CFR played so poor in Basel. Gabriel Muresan is also injured but that is no fresh news.
CFR’s away form:
15.11.2010 Liga 1 Etapa 15 Gloria Bistrita 0 - 3 CFR Cluj
30.10.2010 Liga 1 Etapa 13 Otelul Galati 1 - 1 CFR Cluj
15.10.2010 Liga 1 Etapa 11 FC Vaslui 5 - 3 CFR Cluj
24.09.2010 Liga 1 Etapa 9 U Cluj 1 - 1 CFR Cluj
10.09.2010 Liga 1 Etapa 7 Rapid 2 - 0 CFR Cluj
The Betting Verdict
CFR Cluj showed that they are not able to play at a competitive level in both championship and CL at the same time. The difference between the first eleven in the league and the lineup from the CL is not noticeable, very few players are being rested.
After winning so many trophies over the last years, the players are not motivated anymore and most of them would want to make the step to a more important championship. In these conditions and without a coach I cannot see them pulling of any surprise here.
Steaua’s form is not great but the home advantage could be decisive here as they play way better in “Ghencea”. I usually don’t back Steaua because they are overrated most of the time, but CFR seems too weak at this moment.
The Pick :
Steaua Bucuresti 2-1 CFR Cluj
BEST BETTING TIP :
Take Steaua Bucuresti to win at 2.10 Paddy Power or InterwettenConfidence: 6/10
