Astra Ploiesti v Ceahlaul

This is a derby although at the bottom of the standings, as 14th place Astra hosts second from the bottom, Ceahlaul. The prize for this match is huge, as the sides are direct rivals in the battle to avoid relegation. They will both have a very tough schedule in the coming rounds, so expect each them to push for victory.

Astra made a spectacular comeback after Nicolo Napoli’s appointment as head coach and they are now heading out of the red zone. The hosts had a bit of a roller coaster style campaign, with a great home record (only top3 teams have a better home record), but also with a bad record away from home (only 2 points won in 6 away matches). They are also quite inconsistent and unpredictable. They alternate great results like the win against third place Rapid and the draw at leaders Timisoara, with embarrassing ones, such as the home draw against bottom team Gloria or the defeat at International, who had previously lost all their 5 home games. The players could be tired as they played a Cup match just 3 days ago, but the morale should be high as Astra eliminated Timisoara and are also on a 3 match winning streak on home turf. Top players, Cristian Munteanu, Oprsal and Mihalache were rested in the Cup game, while Paulinho, who was suspended against International, will also play.

Ceahlaul have had a nightmare campaign so far. The guests were pretty optimistic after their promotion, but it seems that their young squad does not match as yet the standards of the first division. Ceahlaul have the worst attacking record (an average of one goal in every 2 games) and the worst defence (23 goals conceded in 11 matches), this could be a result of the frequent goalkeeper changes, as none of the keepers have given satisfaction so far. The guests are on a terrible run of results, they had 3 heavy defeats (12 goals conceded, none scored) before a home draw against poor Alba Iulia (Alba scored the equalizer in the last minute), so the morale is very low. Coach Florin Marin has resigned, and the man chosen to save the team is Gh.Multescu, a pretty experienced coach.

Astra are in much better form at the moment, they are playing confidently at home and they are well organized by coach Napoli. Ceauhlaul looks too thin at the moment and the best they can do is to hope for a draw.

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Unirea Valahorum v Universitatea Craiova

Former champions, Urziceni, will receive a visit from underachievers Craiova, who are trying to boost their morale before the crucial game against Rangers, in the Champions League, next Wednesday. The visitors, on the other hand, will be looking to build up on their great Cup result, 3-0 away at Iasi, just 3 days ago.

Unirea is preparing for the most important week in the club’s history, as a victory against Rangers would put them in pole position for a qualification in the eliminatory phase of the most important European competition, a performance on which not even the most fanatic fan would have dared to dream of. Urziceni is not doing so well lately in the domestic competition, as it seems that they can’t handle a battle on three fields. Coach Petrescu’s (who interests some Seria A clubs’) lads are coming at the back of 2 goaless draws in away games and a home defeat against Vaslui, while also being eliminated from the Cup by Brasov. Though, it must be said that internationals Varga and Apostol were rested against Vaslui, while in the Cup match Petrescu used a second string team. However, Urziceni can’t afford the luxury of losing any other points, so Varga, Balan, Brandan, Bruno Fernandes and Galamaz are back in the first eleven. First choice goalkeeper Arlauskis is still sidelined.

Craiova have had a disappointing season so far and despite starting the season with European Cup ambitions, they are in the relegation zone at the moment. The attack, led by the Costea brothers, is doing well (only Rapid and Vaslui have scored more), but the problem is the shaky defence (17 goals conceded) and the awful away record (in fact the worst away record in the league, just one point won in 5 away games, 3 goals scored and 9 conceded). Craiova lost their last 2 championship games against Astra and Vaslui, but at least managed to qualify for the quarter finals of the Cup after a 3-0 away win at Iasi, with the Costea brothers scoring all the goals. The important midfielder Trica is back after a suspension, while former captain D.Stoica also made his first appearance after 2 weeks in the Cup game. Prepelita is doubtful after the Iasi game and his place could be taken by Woobay.

This could be a tricky game. On one hand, Urziceni need a good morale boost for the Champions League match, and on the other hand their players are fresher as they were rested in the Cup game, but the players will be thinking more of the Rangers game. Craiova on the other hand, despite their poor place, have potential and have never lost away at Urziceni. Unirea should be able to win this game, though a draw is possible, so it’s better to bet on goals.