- Cetatea form: Cetatea have taken 3 points from their first 2 Liga 2 matches, scoring 3 and conceding 3 in an eventful start.
- Olimpia form: Olimpia have collected 0 points from their opening 2 games.
Cetatea can pass Olimpia test
Context:
It's very difficult to make a call on this matchup with both teams having little senior head-to-head history and both clubs facing this weekend's clash as one of their first real Liga 2 tests of the new campaign.
Odds and betting:
The odds are all about Cetatea as the clear favorite at 1.77, with Olimpia available at 4.0 and the tie available at 3.45.
While Cetatea look the more likely to take the points in Suceava, there is enough about Olimpia to suggest this won't be a walkover for the home team and both to score at 1.8 could be the smart bet.
Cetatea strengths
Petre Grigoraș has got his Cetatea side playing with structure and bite on the early evidence, while his summer rebuild looks like it is already bearing fruit in the shape of sharper, faster transitions.
- Gabriel David is a very good engine for this team and it is easy to see how Cetatea can get on the front foot and turn possession into territory.
- Cătălin Golofca, Cosmin Tucaliuc and Alexandru Aftanache also offer real threat in the final third, especially when the game opens up.
Olimpia outlook
Zoltán Ritli's Olimpia, meanwhile, are still searching for the right rhythm after a turbulent summer and turnaround. They have taken 0 points after two rounds. It's no surprise they are sitting in the lower zone already.
- Sergiu Jurj is their most dangerous outlet going forward, while Kristopher Vida and Raul Suciu bring experience to the side that needs more steel in the center of the pitch.
Cetatea have edge in pace and territory battle
The pace versus structure battle could be interesting to watch here, but Cetatea's more high-tempo, wide, front-foot game should make Olimpia work harder to maintain their compact mid-block and build-up without the ball.
Olimpia's approach was pragmatic and focused on keeping their shape, surviving the initial wave and then hitting on the counter.
Cetatea's recent results have been mixed with a disappointing 1-3 home defeat to Concordia Chiajna followed by a sharp 2-0 away win at ASA Târgu Mureș.
With Olimpia yet to find the formula for getting on the scoreboard, the home side look like the most likely winners in this matchup, but we're also going to back a 2-1 score in favor of the hosts because the numbers suggest this will be a competitive game in which Olimpia will be stubborn enough to score.
