CFR Cluj v Steaua Bucuresti
Football: Romania: Liga 1
Venue: Stadion "Dr Constantin Radulescu", Cluj-Napoca
Saturday 21th May – Kickoff time: 17:00 GMT+2

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CFR Cluj (8th W-11 D-12 L-10)

Despite winning both domestic trophies in the previous season, CFR will finish this one on the 8th position in the best case scenario, but they could also slip to 11th after this last stage.

CFR won seven trophies since 2008, but they didn’t manageto beat Steaua Bucuresti since the 2005-2006 season, when their coach was Dorinel Munteanu, who won the title this season as Otelul Galati’s coach. There is only one player that we can find in CFR’s squad who played in that game.

CFR is already preparing for the next season, signing Portuguese coach Jorge Costa and some players from middle placed Portugues clubs. On the other hand, at least 5 players will leave the club after this game, so we should see a new CFR in the next season.

CFR’s home record:
09.05.2011 Liga 1 Etapa 32 CFR Cluj 2 - 2 Gloria Bistrita
02.05.2011 Liga 1 Etapa 30 CFR Cluj 0 - 1 Otelul Galati
23.04.2011 Liga 1 Etapa 28 CFR Cluj 1 - 0 FC Vaslui
14.04.2011 Liga 1 Etapa 26 CFR Cluj 1 - 1 U Cluj
07.04.2011 Liga 1 Etapa 24 CFR Cluj 0 - 1 Rapid

Steaua Bucuresti (6th W-15 D-9 L-9)

Steaua will have a chance to save their season in the Romanian Cup final where they’ll meet their rivals, Dinamo Bucuresti. However, if Steaua will lose both games, there is a chance they won’t even qualify for a Europa League qualifiers.

It is not surprising at all that their coach was sacked a few weeks ago and now Cosmin Olaroiu is in charge again. He is the same man who qualified Steaua in the Uefa Cup semifinals in 2006, where they got eliminated by Middlesbrough.

Olaroiu will have a tough match here because he won’t be able to use some key players, mainly in his defensive compartment, where Martinovic is suspended, while Gardos, Latovlevic and Geraldo are all doubtful.

Steaua’s away record:
08.05.2011 Liga 1 Etapa 32 Gaz Metan Medias 0 - 0 Steaua
28.04.2011 Liga 1 Etapa 29 Pandurii Tg. Jiu 1 - 1 Steaua
16.04.2011 Liga 1 Etapa 27 Sportul Studentesc 1 - 2 Steaua
10.04.2011 Liga 1 Etapa 25 Astra Ploiesti 1 - 0 Steaua
02.04.2011 Liga 1 Etapa 23 FC Timisoara 0 - 0 Steaua

The betting verdict

Steaua needs a win here in order to play the cup final without additional pressure. There’s no doubt that the cup final against Dinamo is more important for both fans and the club because they will play for a trophy, but if they neglect this game they could end up outside a European spot.

CFR on the other hand is currently going through a transition period and I’m not sure that soon to leave the club coach Alin Minteaun will manage to motivate them for this game.

Despite Steaua has some problems in defense, CFR will play with only one striker and that is Sergiu Bus, an 18 year old kid. The problem with Steaua is that they are unable to score goals on the road, having an average of less than a goal per match. It is not easy to win against CFR in Cluj that is why I think the most probable outcome is a draw.

The Pick :

CFR Cluj 1-1 Steaua Bucuresti

FIXED ODDS BETTING :

Take the Draw match at 3.15 Betsson
Confidence: 5/10