- Universitatea Craiova have won three of their last five Liga I games (D1, L1) while CFR 1907 Cluj have won two and lost three.
- Craiova have won six of their nine home games in Liga I 2025-2026 (D2, L1), scoring 2.00 goals on average and conceding 1.00.
- Cluj have only won once away from home in Liga I (D4, L4), scoring 9 goals in 9 away games.
Craiova should take the spoils in an end-to-end clash
Universitatea Craiova are slight favorites with the bookmakers to beat CFR 1907 Cluj in Sunday’s Liga I clash at 2.13, but we feel the Universitatea Craiova vs CFR 1907 Cluj prediction should be shorter in this one, which can still be profitable because the game will be a good one with a high goal expectancy.
The White and Blues are in fine form at present with three wins, one draw and one defeat from their last five games. Craiova won 2-1 away to FC Arges last weekend, followed by a 1-0 home success over Mainz in the Conference League and then drew 0-0 at fellow European participants Universitatea Cluj.
Filipe Coelho has been in charge of the club since November 2025 and looks to have struck the right balance between maintaining a strong domestic form while competing in Europe. He has a proactive, attack-minded side that seeks to smother opponents in their own half through relentless pressing and high-tempo play with the ball. Wide players are deployed to stretch the play and they will look to suffocate Cluj in the first half of Sunday’s match. Our Universitatea Craiova vs CFR 1907 Cluj preview suggests that Craiova's aggressive style could be decisive.
Cluj are more disciplined and solid, but could open up in this clash of styles
CFR 1907 Cluj are more of a compact and disciplined team that sets up to be solid at the back and get men behind the ball on counterattacks. However, CFR Cluj have shown signs of opening up a little more since Daniel Pancu took over from Dan Petrescu in November 2025 and moved to a more expansive 4-3-3 system.
Cluj thumped Rapid Bucuresti 3-0 at home last weekend, but were then beaten 3-0 by FC Arges Pitesti four days ago. CFR Cluj have won only once on their travels in Liga I 2025-2026 (D4, L4), so it’s difficult to see them improving on the Universitatea Craiova vs CFR 1907 Cluj prediction for this weekend against a superior side in better form.
Head-to-head history suggests Cluj will make it close
Craiova are fourth in the standings on 33 points from 18 games while Cluj are languishing in 12th on 19 points from the same number of games. The home team have superior overall quality and a terrific home record to call upon, so we feel the Universitatea Craiova vs CFR 1907 Cluj prediction is that they are the more likely to edge what should be a close and open game.
These two played out a 2-2 draw here in the Liga I Playoff 2025, but Cluj have won two of the last three meetings and Craiova are winless in their previous two home games against the club from Transylvania.
Backing Both Teams To Score at 1.73 seems good value because both sides play with the same attacking intent and have the quality to hurt each other. Craiova can lean on Steven Nsimba, who has bagged six goals in 15 Liga I appearances this term, while Cluj have found some form in the goals with Andrei Cordea registering five goals in 12 games and three in the last five.
Pancu’s men will set up to stay compact and get numbers behind the ball, but with Craiova attacking from all angles and using the width of the field, this could open up in the second half as Cluj’s fresh legs take over. For those looking for Universitatea Craiova vs CFR 1907 Cluj betting tips, both teams to score could be a wise choice.
