Romanian League
2011-04-27 - Universitatea Cluj vs FC Timisoara
A Sports Betting Pick by ROzsolt
Football: Romania: Liga 1
Venue: Stadion "Gaz Metan", Medias
Wednesday 27th April – Kickoff time: 21:00 GMT+2
Universitatea Cluj (10th W-10 D-8 L-10)
Universitatea started 2011 thinking more about avoiding relegation but they are now in excellent form and we will see "U" playing on their new stadium in the first league next season.
The "Red Hats" are the team of the month, having 4 victories and 2 draws in April, same amount of points that Otelul (leader) and CFR Cluj (2010 champions) earned combined. Their previous home defeat occurred in October, which means that they are unbeaten in their previous 8 home games.
Universitatea is already making plans for the next season and are close to sign with Steaua’s centreal-back, George Galamaz. He also played for Unirea Urziceni at the time they won the championship and played in the Champions League group stages.
Universitatea Cluj's home form :
18.04.2011 Liga 1 Etapa 27 U Cluj 3 - 0 U Craiova
09.04.2011 Liga 1 Etapa 25 U Cluj 2 - 2 Gaz Metan Medias
01.04.2011 Liga 1 Etapa 23 U Cluj 2 - 1 Dinamo
12.03.2011 Liga 1 Etapa 21 U Cluj 4 - 2 Unirea Urziceni
27.02.2011 Liga 1 Etapa 19 U Cluj 1 - 1 FC Brasov
FC Timisoara(2nd W-13 D-14 L-1)
Timisoara made another wrong step in their battle to win the championship, only drawing against modest Targu-Mures in a game played at home. Zicu missed a 90th minute penalty that could have taken them to the first place, but now they sit one point behind Otelul Galati.
The pressure seems to affect the performances of all three teams that are fighting for the title, every one of them failing to get a win in the previous stage. Timisoara for example only won 1 game in their previous 6 games.
Coach Dusan Urhin is determined to make some changes and he’ll probably start by replacing right-back Helder, who was considered one of the worst players in their first defeat of the season against Rapid Bucuresti. Romanian international goalkeeper Costel Pantilimon is injured but he will be replaced by a quality Portuguese named Pedro Taborda so it shouldn't be a big issue.
Timisoara's away form :
17.04.2011 Liga 1 Etapa 27 Rapid 3 - 2 FC Timisoara
10.04.2011 Liga 1 Etapa 25 Sportul Studentesc 2 - 3 FC Timisoara
18.03.2011 Liga 1 Etapa 22 Victoria Branesti 0 - 2 FC Timisoara
05.03.2011 Liga 1 Etapa 20 CFR Cluj 1 - 2 FC Timisoara
04.12.2010 Liga 1 Etapa 18 Gloria Bistrita 3 - 3 FC Timisoara
The betting verdict
Timisoara should be more motivated to get a victory here, but they were motivated in the previous games as well and only won one out of the previous six.
Universitatea will not give away the points without a fight and their recent form recommends them for a positive result, despite bookies consider the hosts as favorites.
This is the only game this stage where the over 2.5 goals is considered more probable then the under and for good reason, because 4 out of each teams previous 5 games ended with at least 3 goals scored.
The Pick :
Universitatea Cluj 2-2 FC Timisoara
BEST BETTING TIP :
Take Over 2.5 goals at 1.8 Victor ChandlerConfidence: 8/10
