Craiova vs Botosani: Preview and betting tips

On Thursday, Romania’s European Cup clash is on the agenda, with Craiova taking on Botosani at home in a one-win game. What to expect from the game and what to bet on?

Craiova have reached the Conference play-offs from third place in the table, which they secured in the extra time. Its form is not ideal anyway, it has won only one of the last four games, losing the other three.

The strange system of the Romanian league got Botosani into the play-offs. The third team plays the play-offs with the winner of the rescue group, i.e. the seventh team in the league overall. The seventh-placed team is the Cup winner Sepsi, so the eighth-placed team, Botosani, is in the play-offs.

The home team is led by speedy winger and Romanian international Andrei Ivan, author of sixteen goals and eleven assists. Brazilian Gustavo operates on the other side of the offensive line, scoring twelve times and adding six assists.

In the visitors’ jersey, it’s the experienced striker Mihail Roman who’s hit nine times and assisted on one goal. Brazilian central midfielder Jaja Silva has split the net five times and has registered five assists.

Craiova are not in ideal form, having lost two of their last four games, conceding ten goals in the process.

Botosani, on the other hand, are firing, winning four of their last five games, scoring at least two goals each time.

Given Botosani’s good offensive form, I think both teams will score, not just the favored Craiova.