Univ. Craiova vs Sparta Prague prediction: EUROPE: Conference League – League phase betting tips on match 2025-12-10 17:45.
[p]Universitatea Craiova and Sparta Prague find themselves on seven points after four league phase rounds of the UEFA Conference League, with both sides occupying a seeded spot in the knockout-phase play-offs at the start of the week.[/p]
[p]Match News and Current Form[/p]
[p]After a stuttering start to their first European main draw campaign in 35 years (D1, L1), Craiova have since won their last two Conference League matches 1-0 to give their hopes of qualifying for the knockout phase a massive boost. That latter victory over Mainz also forms part of an ongoing five-game unbeaten run in all competitions (W3, D2), with just two goals conceded in that time. In further positive news for the Romanian outfit, they have lost only once in their last 17 home matches (W11, D5), so they should be confident of making further progress here.[/p]
[p]Like Craiova, Sparta’s recent Conference League outings have been low-scoring as, since their 4-1 win over Shamrock Rovers on matchday one this season, there have been just two goals seen across their last three such games (W1, D1, L1). Brian Priske’s men head to Romania in excellent travelling form and may be quietly confident of victory after winning four of their last five encounters in all competitions (L1), with all of those wins coming away from home and two of them being accompanied by a clean sheet. [/p]
[p]Head-to-Head History[/p]
[p]This is the inaugural H2H. Craiova have never played a team from the Czech Republic, while Sparta have won four of their ten games against Romanian clubs (D3, L3). The latest two of those saw them beat FCSB 4-3 on aggregate in UEFA Champions League qualifying last season. [/p]
[p]Hot Stats and Streaks[/p]
[p]Only one of Craiova’s last eight competitive games was decided by a 2+ goal margin. [/p]
[p]Craiova scored at least one first-half goal in six of their last eight matches. [/p]
[p]The team that has netted first in each of Sparta’s last six competitive away games has gone on to win. [/p]
[p]Four of Sparta’s last five goals have come after the 85th minute. [/p]
[p]Key Players to Watch and Missing Players[/p]
[p]Assad Al Hamlawi scored the winner for Craiova against Mainz just two minutes after coming off the bench – his tenth successive goal to have come after half-time. Albion Rrahmani has found the net in back-to-back games for Sparta to begin December, with each of his last six strikes having arrived after the half-hour mark. [/p]
[p]Nicușor Bancu will be suspended for Craiova after picking up his third yellow card of the league phase against Mainz, while Sparta do not appear to have any fresh absentees. [/p]
[p]For all the latest team news, please check the Flashscore match centre.[/p]
[p]Betting Analysis[/p]
[p]Given the low-scoring nature of recent games in Europe involving these two sides, we predict under 2.5 total goals.[/p]
[p][i]Author: Alex Bowmer[/i][/p]