Astra Ploiesti v Sportul Studentesc
Football: Romanian Liga 1
Venue: "Astra", Ploiesti
Friday 30th September - Kickoff time: 19:00 GMT+2

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Astra Ploiesti (6th W-4 D-2 L-2)

Astra started their previous game in the best possible way, breaking the deadlock in the 3rd minute in the away game at Pandurii Targu Jiu, a place where not many teams can get away with point or points.

Pandurii however managed to equalize and dominated the rest of the game, but a late free kick found Portuguese central defender Bruno Miguel unmarked and his header earned Astra all three points. With 14 points after 8 games, Astra is placed 6th, above teams like Vaslui, Steaua or Otelul Galati.

The secret behind these results may be their new coach Marius Sumudica (ex-Rapid) who is yet to lose a game since he took over Astra just after the second stage, which means that Astra has not lost any of their last 6 games.

Astra is continuing their good run from the previous season (they’ve only conceded 12 goals in 17 home games) and since Marius Sumudica took over, despite meeting some top rated opposition like Steaua, “U” Cluj or Gaz Metan Medias, they’ve only failed to win the game against Universitatea Cluj, which ended 0-0.

Astra’s home form:

17.09.2011 Liga 1 Etapa 7 Astra Ploiesti 2 - 0 Gaz Metan Medias
27.08.2011 Liga 1 Etapa 5 Astra Ploiesti 0 - 0 U Cluj
21.08.2011 Liga 1 Etapa 4 Astra Ploiesti 2 - 1 Steaua
31.07.2011 Liga 1 Etapa 2 Astra Ploiesti 0 - 1 Vointa Sibiu

Sportul Studentesc (18th W-1 D-3 L-4)

Sportul just lost their best player, playmaker Tiberiu Balan, who has previously played for clubs like Rapid or Unirea Urziceni joined Steaua Bucuresti, a team that Sportul has just met.

Steaua is passing through a poor form and they were under pressure when they met Sportul last weekend and despite having lots of opportunities to score, they were eventually held to a draw. For Sportul this was the first point earned in a match against Steaua since 2002.

“The Students” won their first away game played this season against newly-promoted Concordia Chiajna, but since then they have registered 3 consecutive defeats, conceding 9 goals.

Sportul’s away form:

16.09.2011 Liga 1 Etapa 7 Dacia Mioveni 2 - 1 Sportul Studentesc
26.08.2011 Liga 1 Etapa 5 CFR Cluj 6 - 1 Sportul Studentesc
15.08.2011 Liga 1 Etapa 3 FC Brasov 1 - 0 Sportul Studentesc
25.07.2011 Liga 1 Etapa 1 Concordia Chiajna 1 - 2 Sportul Studentesc

The betting verdict

Astra is showing a lot of strength this season, they have already eliminated CFR from the Romanian Cup and registered victories against Steaua or Pandurii. I would say that Astra won’t lose more than 2 or 3 home games this season and for sure it won’t be Sportul the ones to beat them. In fact, Astra won both games against Sportul in the previous season with the same score, 1-0.

Sportul lost 15 of their 17 away games in the previous season and their squad has not improved since then, they even lost Dacian Varga who signed with Kuban Krasnodar and Tiberiu Balan. Even though the prices are not great, it is hard to imagine any other result then a home win.

The Pick :

Astra Ploiesti 2-0 Sportul Studentesc

FIXED ODDS BETTING :

Take Astra Ploiesti to win at 1.55 Interwetten
Confidence: 8/10