CS Universitatea Craiova – ASA Targu Mures
CS Universitatea Craiova started the new season with a 1-2 defeat away to Pandurii. That came as little surprise though as Pandurii finished third in the league last term, only four points behind winners Astra, and qualified for Europe. The fact that the winner came as late as three minutes into stoppage time suggests CS U Craiova did very well. That is backed up by the 59% possession and 18-5 in shots in favor of the guests.
Craiova were also considerably better on home turf than away towards the end of the season, picking up six wins and a draw in their last seven home games. They hope to extend that streak when they welcome Targu Mures to Stadionul Extensiv tonight. They have kept their best players during the summer and have added Cape Verde striker Rambé to their ranks as well as experienced goalkeeper Nicolae Calancea.
Things are looking promising and the club is hoping to improve on their 8th position from last year. We believe they have every chance of doing just that.
ASA Targu Mures did well last season and ended 6th in the league. The second half of the season was nothing less of a disaster though as they went without a win in their last 11 league games including 8 defeats. They also lost several key players during the summer including Ionut Balaur, Ramiro Costa, Sasa Balic, Cladiu Voicule, Nicolas Gorobsov, Paul Parvulescu and Marius Tucudean. The replacements haven’t been as impressive and they could be in for a struggle this season.
Targu Mures boss Dario Bonetti had to field six Liga 1 debutants in their 1-2 defeat to newly promoted Gaz Metan Medias in the season opener. It could take several weeks until he has got his team working the way he wants and we believe they are in for another defeat tonight.
Date & Time: 1 Aug 2016 – 17.30 CEST
Competition: Liga 1 (Romania)
Match: CS Universitatea Craiova – ASA Targu Mures
Pick: CS Universitatea Craiova Asian Hcp -1
Highest Odds: 1.65 @ bet365
Stake: 15 EUR
Rating: 2/5
Result: 2-1, money back.