- Universitatea Craiova have won two and drawn three of their last five games in all competitions.
- FC UTA Arad have won one, drawn three and lost three of their seven away games in Liga I 2025/2026.
- Universitatea Craiova have won four and drawn one of their last five head-to-head matches in all competitions.
Craiova can exploit UTA Arad’s road woes
Third-placed Universitatea Craiova can take advantage of ninth-placed FC UTA Arad’s away-day woes when the two sides meet at Ion Oblemenco in Liga I 2025/2026 on Sunday. This Universitatea Craiova vs FC UTA Arad preview highlights the contrasting fortunes of the two teams.
Craiova’s current form - W2, D3, L0 in their last five matches in all competitions - is clearly superior to UTA’s (W1, D1, L3) and they have been much more consistent, particularly at home where they have won six and drawn two of their eight fixtures in 2025/26.
This fixture will be a good test for each man’s tactical project as Mirel Radoi and Adrian Mihalcea have turned Craiova into one of Liga I’s most structured pressing teams and UTA into a more disciplined, pragmatic side since taking charge in January 2025 and June 2025 respectively. In terms of Universitatea Craiova vs FC UTA Arad prediction, the tactical approaches of both managers could play a decisive role in the outcome.
Radoi’s men play at a high tempo and with the ball a lot of the time, using aggressive pressing to regain the ball and vertical combinations to overload opponents in possession. Mihalcea has made his squad more compact and tougher to play against by deploying a low-to-mid block and quick vertical transitions.
Craiova likely to dominate a classic possession vs counter-attack game
This should be a fascinating tactical battle with a classic clash of possession vs counter-attack likely to ensue. UTA have scored an average of just 0.86 goals per game on the road in Liga I 2025/2026 and have shipped an average of 1.71 per game, so their away-day record is no surprise. But the Universitatea Craiova vs FC UTA Arad prediction for this fixture should also have significance in the context of the season for both clubs and their managers, so we should see goals and attacking soccer here.
Craiova are the rightful favourites at 1.47 for the win as they have dominated this matchup in recent meetings. UTA are massive long shots at 6.24 for the away win, and they have never won away at Craiova in recent encounters.
Back Over 2.5 goals at 1.68 as the main bet for this game as Craiova’s pressing should cause a few problems for the visitors while UTA should be able to force a few counter attacks against the hosts. For those looking for Universitatea Craiova vs FC UTA Arad betting tips, the attacking tendencies and home advantage point strongly in Craiova’s favor.
Steven Nsimba has been a threat all season in the final third for Craiova with six goals in 13 Liga I 2025/2026 appearances and will be licking his lips at the chance of facing a deep UTA block. Given this, our Universitatea Craiova vs FC UTA Arad prediction is that Nsimba is one of the players most likely to make an impact.
Valentin Costache is UTA’s leading scorer with five goals in 15 Liga I 2025/2026 matches and has scored two of their last four in the league, so we will go with him in the anytime goalscorer market. Alin Roman has been in excellent form for the club with six assists in 14 Liga I 2025/2026 games, so he can get on the scoresheet on Sunday, too.
